By Kerri Maniscalco
SPOILER-FREE
Sinner. Villain. Ruthless.
These are wicked names the Prince of Envy welcomes. They remind him what he isn’t: a saint. And when a cryptic note arrives, signaling the beginning of a deadly game, he knows he’ll be called much worse before it ends. Riddles, hexed objects, anonymous players, nothing will stand in his way. With a powerful artifact and his own future at stake, Envy is determined to win, though none of his meticulous plans prepare him for her, the frustrating artist who ignites his sin—and passion—like no other…
Talented. Darling. Liar. The trouble with scoundrels and blackguards is that they haven’t a modicum of honor, a fact Miss Camilla Antonius learns after one desperate mistake allows notorious rake—and satire sheet legend—Lord Phillip Vexley to blackmail her. And now it seems Vexley isn’t the only scoundrel interested in securing her unique talents as a painter. To avoid Vexley’s clutches and a ruinous scandal, Camilla is forced to enter a devil’s bargain with Waverly Green’s newest arrival, enigmatic Lord Ashford ‘Syn’ Synton, little expecting his game will awaken her true nature . . .
Together, Envy and Camilla must embark on a perilous journey through the Shifting Isles—from glittering demon courts to the sultry vampire realm, and encounters with exiled Fae—while trying to avoid the most dangerous trap of all: falling in love.
REVIEW
THEMES: ROMANCE, DARK, QUEST/ADVENTURE, FANTASY, MEDIUM-PACED.
I read this book earlier in the year but am now reading Kingdom Of The Wicked, so reviewing it makes sense. If you are planning on reading any Maniscalco books, start with Kingdom Of The Wicked, as it is the (first) linked trilogy to Throne Of The Fallen. In other words, this book spoils the trilogy.
Now to the book itself, I loved it. The perfect book to read when you are in a Book Slump. The tension between Envy and Camilla was palpable and exactly what I needed at the time. I also love the Seven Princes of Hell idea, to my knowledge she will be creating a story for each of the Princes of Sin (So far Wrath and Envy have been done). I cannot wait.
The story was heavily character/relationship based, however, unlike other romance-fantasy I have read, it also has a captivating quest that puts the characters in precarious situations – which ensures a page turning read.
The dialogue was a hurdle to overcome as it was corny and uses regency-era language which I am not a fan of. I pushed past this and embraced it – however, if I was in a different reading mindset, it could have seriously stunted the experience.
This definitely has most of the ‘romantasy’ cliches, but who cares. If you are seriously reading a book like this for insight, then you were looking to be disappointed. Not that you cannot learn from romance books, I surely have.
I would recommend this for any ‘romantasy’ lovers or anyone looking to get out of a Book Slump.
Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.
The Book Slump 