If you’ve spent any time on BookTok or lurking in the corners of fantasy Reddit, you know the name Kerri Maniscalco. She’s the powerhouse behind Stalking Jack the Ripper and the wildly popular Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy. But honestly, Thrones of the Fallen is a different beast entirely. It’s her first official foray into high-heat adult fantasy, and it doesn't just step across the line—it leaps over it.
Most people coming into this book expect a simple continuation of the Kingdom of the Wicked vibe. They’re wrong.
While it’s set in the same lush, dangerous world of the Seven Circles, this isn't a YA crossover. It’s gritty. It’s sprawling. It follows Envy—one of the Princes of Hell we met previously—and a mortal named Camilla Antonius. But calling it a romance novel feels sort of reductive, even though the tension between the leads is basically enough to set your Kindle on fire. It’s a high-stakes mystery disguised as a supernatural gamble.
The Gamble That Defines Thrones of the Fallen
Let’s talk about the plot.
Camilla is a woman with secrets. She’s a painter, a business owner, and someone desperately trying to keep her brother out of trouble in a nineteenth-century Italy that feels both familiar and terrifyingly magical. When she gets caught up in a high-stakes game hosted by the Prince of Envy, the stakes aren't just money. It’s souls. It’s lives.
Envy himself is… well, he’s a lot. If you’ve read the previous series, you know him as the sarcastic, somewhat detached brother. In Thrones of the Fallen, we see the cracks in that armor. Maniscalco spends a lot of time deconstructing what it actually means to be the physical embodiment of a sin. Is he envious because he wants what others have, or is he envious because he’s fundamentally incapable of being satisfied?
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The core of the story revolves around a scavenger hunt of sorts, but one with lethal consequences. Camilla and Envy are forced into a reluctant partnership to solve a series of riddles and recover artifacts. It sounds like a trope. It kind of is. But the execution is so detailed and the world-building is so thick with atmosphere that you stop caring about the tropes pretty quickly.
Why the Shift to Adult Fiction Matters
There was a lot of chatter when this book was announced. Readers wondered if "Adult" just meant more spice.
In some ways, yes. The intimacy in Thrones of the Fallen is significantly more explicit than anything in Maniscalco's previous work. However, the real "adult" shift is in the complexity of the themes. We’re dealing with deep-seated trauma, the weight of immortality, and the moral ambiguity of choosing between the person you love and the world you’re sworn to protect.
The prose has evolved, too. It’s denser.
"He was the architect of his own misery, a king sitting on a throne of shadows, wondering why the sun never reached him."
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That’s the kind of vibe we’re dealing with here. It’s gothic. It’s heavy.
Breaking Down the Seven Circles
One thing Maniscalco does better than almost anyone in the genre right now is setting the scene. The Seven Circles of Hell in this universe aren't just pits of fire. They are distinct, decadent courts.
- House Envy: Think opulent masquerades, hidden agendas, and a constant sense of being watched. It’s a place where status is everything and everyone is looking for a way to take you down a peg.
- The Aesthetic: The book leans heavily into the Victorian-era aesthetic, blending historical fashion with demonic flair. The descriptions of Camilla’s dresses and Envy’s sprawling estate are so vivid you can almost smell the oil paint and the sulfur.
- The Court Politics: This isn't just about two people liking each other. It’s about how the other Princes—Wrath, Pride, Gluttony—view Envy’s "distraction." The internal hierarchy of Hell is a constant threat looming over the narrative.
Camilla isn't a damsel. Honestly, that’s the most refreshing part. She has her own agency and her own dark streaks. She’s willing to make deals that most "good" protagonists wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole. Her obsession with her art and her fierce protection of her family make her feel grounded, even when she’s staring down a literal demon prince.
What Most Reviews Miss About the Ending
Without veering into spoiler territory, the ending of Thrones of the Fallen is divisive. Some people find it a bit rushed; others think it’s the perfect setup for what’s coming next in the Prince of Sin series.
The reality is that this book is a bridge. It bridges the gap between the YA world of the Wicked trilogy and a much broader, much darker universe that Maniscalco is clearly building. If you go into it expecting a neatly tied-up bow, you’re going to be frustrated. This is a sprawling epic. It’s meant to leave you with questions. It’s meant to make you wonder which of the other brothers is getting their own book next (though the rumors heavily point toward Greed or Lust).
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The mystery involving the "Fallen" themselves—the angels who fell from grace—adds a layer of cosmic horror that wasn't as prevalent in the earlier books. It raises the stakes from "will they, won't they" to "will the entire fabric of reality hold together?"
Navigating the Hype vs. Reality
Is it the best fantasy book ever written? Probably not. The pacing can be a bit wonky in the middle, especially during the riddle-solving segments which can feel a bit like a point-and-click adventure game at times.
But is it an absolute masterclass in atmosphere and character tension? Absolutely.
If you like Sarah J. Maas or Jennifer L. Armentrout, you will likely love this. However, Maniscalco has a more classical, gothic edge to her writing that sets her apart. There’s a certain "dark academia" feel to the way Camilla approaches her problems that feels very distinct from the "warrior princess" trope that’s currently dominating the market.
Practical Steps for Readers and Collectors
If you’re looking to dive into this world, there are a few things you should know to get the most out of the experience.
- Read the Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy first: You don't strictly have to, but your experience will be 100% better. The cameos and the world-building context for the Seven Circles are established there. Without it, some of the interactions between the brothers might feel a bit flat.
- Check the Content Warnings: Seriously. Since this is Maniscalco's first adult book, she doesn't hold back. There are themes of gore, intense sexual situations, and psychological manipulation.
- Look for Special Editions: If you’re a collector, the FairyLoot or Illumicrate editions of this book are stunning. They often feature sprayed edges and hidden cover art that really leans into the "Envy" theme.
- Pay Attention to the Art References: Since Camilla is a painter, the book is littered with references to real art history and techniques. Looking these up as you read adds a cool, immersive layer to her character.
- Track the Riddles: The scavenger hunt is actually solvable if you pay close attention to the flavor text and the descriptions of the artifacts. It’s a fun way to engage with the text beyond just reading the dialogue.
Thrones of the Fallen represents a significant pivot for Kerri Maniscalco. It’s a bold, slightly messy, incredibly sexy, and deeply atmospheric book that proves she can handle the complexities of adult fantasy. It’s a reminder that the monsters we fear aren't always the ones under the bed—sometimes they’re the ones sitting on thrones, waiting for us to make a mistake.
For the best reading experience, grab a physical copy. The formatting and the chapter headers are part of the storytelling. Put on a dark, moody playlist—think Hozier or Florence + The Machine—and give yourself a weekend to get lost in the Circles of Hell. You won't regret the trip.