Book Details
Title: Kingdom of the Cursed
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance
Published Date: 2021
Summary
Emilia has finally taken a bold step toward avenging her sister Vittoria's death. With the enigmatic Prince of Wrath as her unlikely escort—and possible ally—she descends into the treacherous Seven Circles of Hell. But Hell is far more sinister than she ever imagined, with her deepest vices and darkest desires turning against her at every turn, testing her resolve. Surrounded by deceitful princes, overwhelming riches, and a web of conflicting truths, Emilia must unravel the mystery. Will she uncover who is truly behind Vittoria’s murder, or will Hell consume her before she gets the chance?
Plot
The story had an engaging start, immediately pulling me in as I was eager to see how Emilia would make her way to and through Hell. However, the pacing throughout the book felt inconsistent. While certain moments dragged on, the overall progression of events felt okay but not remarkable. The worldbuilding, on the other hand, was immersive. I appreciated learning about the structure and functioning of Hell, with unique details like the colder the ring, the more powerful it is. However, Hell depicted as a frozen landscape lacked originality, feeling somewhat uninspired as Hell being frozen is an overused joke. The lack of engaging subplots further dampened the plot's impact. Notably, a subplot involving amnesia, one of my least favorite tropes, felt forced and unnecessary, adding frustration rather than intrigue to Emilia’s journey.
Characters
The main characters, Emilia and Wrath, initially showed potential but lacked meaningful development throughout the story. Emilia's struggle with her sister's death was somewhat relatable, but her stagnation in grief, especially as this theme carried over from the previous novel, felt repetitive and disappointing. Despite being central to the story, Wrath also lacked depth and growth. Their romantic chemistry had its moments, particularly in intimate scenes, but overall, their relationship felt hollow—more like they settled into a romance rather than building a believable connection.
The side characters and antagonists were similarly underwhelming. The antagonists felt undefined, with no clear force driving the tension apart from Emilia’s quest to confront Pride. Side characters, like the maid, were forgettable and didn’t add much to the narrative. As for character development, there was little to no evolution, although the characters’ actions and decisions remained consistent with their established personalities.
Writing Style and Worldbuilding
The writing style remained one of the book’s stronger points. It was engaging, appropriate for the genre, and perfectly matched the dark tone of the story. The descriptions vividly brought the settings and emotions to life without overwhelming the narrative, making the world of Hell feel tangible. The dialogue was realistic and meaningful for the most part, advancing the plot and offering insights into character traits. The tone maintained a dark, brooding atmosphere that suited the themes of grief, betrayal, and ambition, aligning well with the overall story.
Overall Impression
While the premise and worldbuilding had intriguing elements, the book ultimately fell short of its potential. The plot suffered from uneven pacing and a reliance on overused tropes like amnesia and soulmates, which felt shoehorned into the narrative. The lack of character growth, coupled with a romance that didn’t fully convince me, left me feeling underwhelmed. That said, the writing style and vivid descriptions kept the story readable, and the integration of the romance and fantasy elements was handled decently. Ultimately, this book had some enjoyable moments, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression or live up to the promise of the first novel.
Rating
Plot Development: 3
World-building: 5
Character Development: 3
Romance: 2
Writing Style: 4
Pacing: 3
Emotional Impact: 2
Ending/Satisfaction: 3
I would give this novel 3 stars - Average, decent but with notable issues.
Favorite Quote:
“Then I suggest coming to bed, your majesty.”
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