You've probably seen the cover. It’s got that specific vibe—dark, feathers, a hint of danger—that screams modern urban fantasy. But honestly, Wings So Wicked isn't just another cookie-cutter paranormal romance floating around the Kindle Unlimited charts. It’s a book that hits differently because it leans into the grit rather than the glitter.
Written by H.P. Mallory, this book kicks off the Wings So Wicked series, and if you’re coming from her other works like the Dulcie O’Neil or Lily Harper series, you already know she doesn't do boring. She writes characters that feel like people you’d actually grab a drink with, assuming those people also happened to deal with supernatural threats on a Tuesday.
The Vibe of the Wings So Wicked Book
The world-building here is tight. It’s not one of those stories where you need a 50-page glossary just to understand what the heck is going on with the magic system. Basically, it centers on Sia, a character who is layered. She’s not some "chosen one" who discovers she’s a goddess in chapter two. She’s messy. She’s got baggage. And yeah, she’s got wings, but they aren’t exactly a gift from a Hallmark card.
What makes the Wings So Wicked book stand out in a crowded genre is the pacing. Mallory knows how to hook you. You start with a sense of unease, and before you know it, you’ve stayed up until 3:00 AM because "just one more chapter" was a total lie you told yourself. The tension between the characters isn't just about physical attraction; it's about trust—or the complete lack of it.
Why Urban Fantasy Readers Are Obsessed
Most people get urban fantasy wrong by thinking it's just about vampires in leather jackets. It’s not. It’s about the collision of the mundane and the impossible. In this series, that collision is violent and beautiful.
The secondary characters aren't just cardboard cutouts meant to move the plot along. They have their own agendas. Sometimes those agendas align with Sia’s, and sometimes they definitely don't. That unpredictability is rare. Usually, you can spot the traitor from a mile away. Here? Not so much. Mallory plays with tropes. She takes the "brooding male lead" and actually gives him a personality that isn't just being grumpy.
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It’s dark. Like, actually dark.
If you’re looking for a "cozy" fantasy, this isn't it. There are stakes. Characters get hurt. The emotional toll is real. You feel the weight of the choices being made. It reminds me a bit of the early Anita Blake novels or The Hollows by Kim Harrison, where the world feels lived-in and slightly dangerous around every corner.
Breaking Down the Plot Without Spoilers
Sia is trying to navigate a world that doesn't really want her to succeed. The wings are a focal point, obviously, but they represent more than just flight. They represent her history and the things she’s trying to outrun.
- The initial conflict is personal.
- It expands into a larger conspiracy that involves different factions of the supernatural community.
- The romance—because yes, there is romance—is a slow burn.
It’s the kind of slow burn that actually makes sense. They don't just fall in love because the plot demands it; they develop a bond through shared trauma and survival. It’s earned. That’s the key word here: earned.
The H.P. Mallory Style
If you’ve read her blog or followed her career, you know Mallory is a powerhouse of indie publishing. She’s prolific. But she doesn't sacrifice quality for quantity. Her prose is conversational. It feels like she’s telling you a story over coffee. There’s a specific rhythm to her dialogue—snappy, a bit sarcastic, and very human.
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She avoids the flowery, over-the-top descriptions that plague a lot of fantasy. Instead, she focuses on the sensory details that matter. The smell of rain on asphalt. The weight of a weapon in a hand. The way a heartbeat speeds up when someone is lying.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Series
A lot of readers go in expecting a standard "fallen angel" trope. While there are elements that might feel familiar, the Wings So Wicked book subverts a lot of those expectations. It’s more about the internal struggle of identity than it is about some ancient war between heaven and hell—at least in the way you’d expect.
The magic isn't a "get out of jail free" card. It has costs. Sometimes the cost is physical, sometimes it’s social. Sia has to be smart. She can't just blast her way out of every problem. That makes the stakes feel higher because she’s actually vulnerable.
Real Talk: Is It Worth Your Time?
Honestly, if you’re tired of the same three plots being recycled in urban fantasy, yes.
The character development in the first book sets a massive foundation for the rest of the series. You see Sia change. She starts the book as one person and ends as someone who has been through the wringer and come out harder. That’s the kind of character arc that keeps people coming back for book two, three, and beyond.
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The reviews on platforms like Goodreads or Amazon generally point to the same thing: the chemistry. Not just the romantic chemistry, but the chemistry of the group dynamics. It feels like a real ensemble cast.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Read
If you’re ready to dive into the Wings So Wicked book, here is the best way to approach it so you don't get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of urban fantasy out there.
- Check the Series Order: Mallory has a lot of interconnected worlds. While you can read this as a standalone series, knowing her broader multiverse adds layers of "easter eggs" that fans love.
- Don't Rush: The first few chapters do a lot of heavy lifting for world-building. Pay attention to the subtle cues about how the supernatural hierarchy works; it pays off in the final act.
- Manage Expectations: This is an adult urban fantasy. It deals with adult themes, violence, and complex relationships. It’s not a YA novel with the "adult" tag slapped on it for marketing.
- Follow the Author: H.P. Mallory is very active with her readership. If you end up liking the book, her newsletters often contain bits of extra lore or character insights that aren't in the main text.
The best way to experience this story is to go in with a clean slate. Forget what you think you know about winged characters in fiction. Mallory is doing her own thing here, and it’s a refreshing change of pace for a genre that sometimes feels like it’s running out of new ideas. Grab a copy, clear your schedule for an evening, and just let the story take you where it needs to go.
By the time you hit the climax of the first book, you'll likely be reaching for the next installment immediately. That’s the hallmark of a storyteller who knows exactly how to manipulate—in the best way possible—the emotions and curiosity of their audience.
Next Steps for Readers
To get the most out of the Wings So Wicked series, start by verifying you have the updated editions, as some earlier digital versions underwent minor polish for better flow. Once finished with the first installment, look into the Gryphon Series if you find yourself drawn to the specific lore of the winged creatures Mallory creates, as she often weaves similar mythic threads through different character perspectives across her bibliography.