Review by Booklist Review
Maniscalco's adult debut is set in the popular Kingdom of the Wicked universe (Kingdom of the Wicked, 2020), focusing on the Prince of Envy, who presents himself as Lord Ashford "Syn" Synton, becoming entwined with Miss Camilla Antonius, a talented artist he commissions to paint a hexed object as part of a deadly game to restore his kingdom. Meeting in Ironwood Kingdom, which resembles a historical England with a dark market for fae objects, Camilla and Envy face challenges and puzzles across multiple kingdoms, traversing the Shifting Isles in search of victory, calling in favors from some of Envy's brothers representing the other deadly sins, knowing that defeat in this fae game will result in unallowable losses. The game master's ultimate goal is beyond anything they imagined, yet their focus is split between the game and their growing romantic interest, hindered by Envy's one-night limitation on any sexual relationship. Maniscalco's tantalizing sex scenes and intriguing plot make this a riveting page-turner that will encourage rereading to find missed clues after all the secrets have been revealed.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Maniscalco makes her adult fiction debut with a seductive standalone romantasy set in the world of her bestselling YA series, Kingdom of the Wicked. Lennox, the Unseelie King, invites the Prince of Envy into a deadly game of riddles with an unknown group of dangerous players. To protect his demon court from Lennox's wrath, Envy agrees. This scavenger hunt takes Envy to the mortal city of Waverly Green, where he disguises himself as Lord Ashford "Syn" Synton and seeks out artist Camilla Elise Antonius, who should have his next clue. To avoid ruin after being blackmailed by notorious rake Lord Vexley, Camilla strikes a deal with Envy--despite declaring him "insufferable"--and is swept into the game as well. Together, they travel through the magical underworld to confront Lennox, all while dodging enemies, solving puzzles, and trying to deny their ever-growing attraction. Unbeknownst to Envy, however, Camilla, too, is not what she seems. When the duo's secrets unravel, will the truth bring them together or tear them apart? Maniscalco crafts a deliciously dark supernatural world that serves as the perfect backdrop for Camilla and Envy's angst and sexual tension. Old fans and new readers alike will be sucked in. Agent: Barbara Poelle, Goodman Agency. (Oct.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An artist with a secret and a Lord of Hell must work together to solve a puzzle in this romantic fantasy adventure. Miss Camilla Antonius has a lot on her plate. She's a talented artist, but is barely keeping her late father's gallery afloat while being blackmailed by a local lord who knows a potentially ruinous secret about her. Envy, one of the seven princes of hell, is also trying to keep up appearances while a terrible malady slowly decimates his court. When he's invited to play a dangerous magical game with a prize that could save his people, he goes all in. When one of his clues involves Camilla, the two must work together, becoming partners as they cross realms, dealing with human, demons, and Fae in order for both to win what they most covet--all while doing their best not to fall in love. Though this is a standalone novel, it's set in the same universe as Maniscalco's Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy, and certain elements, character dynamics, and plot points will be harder to follow for readers unfamiliar with the earlier books. This is also Maniscalco's adult debut, and it shows: Steamy scene follows steamy scene as characters use extremely coarse language, like a teenager at last gleefully free of parental supervision. The story itself, an adventure filled with riddles to be solved and problems to be overcome, is fun and interesting but overshadowed by the need to push every boundary. Despite its length, the book reads quickly, switching back and forth between the two leads' points of view, though the voices aren't distinct enough to be clear. It's all quite jumbled. Maniscalco fans will enjoy, but it will be hard for new readers to find their footing. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
