#Review - Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco #Fantasy #Historical

Series: Kingdom of the Wicked (#2)
Format: Hardcover, 448 pages
Release Date: October 5, 2021
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Historical

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series comes the sizzling, sweepingly romantic sequel to Kingdom of the Wicked.

One sister.
Two sinful princes.
Infinite deception with a side of revenge . . . Welcome to Hell.

After selling her soul to become Queen of the Wicked, Emilia travels to the Seven Circles with the enigmatic Prince of Wrath, where she's introduced to a seductive world of vice.

She vows to do whatever it takes to avenge her beloved sister, Vittoria . . . even if that means accepting the hand of the Prince of Pride, the king of demons.

The first rule in the court of the Wicked? Trust no one. With back-stabbing princes, luxurious palaces, mysterious party invitations, and conflicting clues about who really killed her twin, Emilia finds herself more alone than ever before. Can she even trust Wrath, her one-time ally in the mortal world .  . or is he keeping dangerous secrets about his true nature? 

Emilia will be tested in every way as she seeks a series of magical objects that will unlock the clues of her past and the answers she craves . . .  

Kingdom of the Cursed is the second installment in author Kerri Maniscalco's Kingdom of the Wicked series. After the betrayals and shocking revelations in Kingdom of the Wicked, Emilia di Carlo is even more determined to find her sister's murderer—no matter what bargains she must make... even if it means doing the forbidden. With all of that, she must also deal with her conflicted feelings towards a certain hot demon prince Wrath. Is it lust? More lies? Or something more? Either way, Emilia must not fall for his charms and demonic influence.

Wrath is one of the Wicked Seven which includes Envy, Greed, Lust, Sloth, Glutton, and Pride. Emilia willingly sold her soul to become the Queen of the Damned, as it were. With mysterious parties, beautiful dressing gowns, devious princes like Envy around, Emilia doesn’t truly know who to trust and she’ll do anything to avenge her sister’s death. However, what’s the price she’s willing to pay for the truth? This book is more R rated than the previous one. This one probably should be more for those older than 18, but kids these days are okay with playing gore filled games. 

The first rule in the court of the Wicked is to not reveal your true fears for they will always be used against you. The second rule is control your desires or they will be easily confused with your reality. The third rule is to be cautious when making blood bargains with a Prince of Hell. And finally, never make a deal with the devil; only a fool would fight or challenge him. Now that Emilia is tangled up with Wrath, the most feared and mighty of the Seven, she will need to wade through her feelings of love and hate which are both rooted in passion.

The story is full of spice, temptation, vice, tension, angst, secrets, mystery, riddles, plot twists and verbal sparring - it has everything you need to keep you on your toes. Play detective if you want, but better prepare a notebook and a pen to jot down the hints because after a while, details would start to blur and you would definitely question if your guess was right. One of the most shocking parts of this book happens in the final chapters so be prepared to be blown away.

Emilia's character has grown and developed so much from the impulsive witch from Sicily, hell made her bolder and smarter but at times I wanted to shake her and show her what's ahead of her and the twists that she is likely to encounter. In this seductive new world, Emilia must determine who she can trust and whether or not she can actually trust Wrath, knowing he has many secrets. Emilia is tested in many ways as she seeks to unlock the truth regarding the questions she has, while also finding tools she needs to bring down a killer.

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#Review - Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco #YALIT #Fantasy #Historical

Series: Kingdom of the Wicked (#1)
Format: Hardcover, 384 pages
Release Date: October 27, 2020
Publisher: JIMMY Patterson
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Dark Fantasy

A James Patterson Presents Novel

From the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series comes a new blockbuster series...

Two sisters.

One brutal murder.

A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself...

And an intoxicating romance.

 

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe - witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family's renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin...desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister's killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that's been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia's side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women's murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems...

 

Kingdom of the Wicked is the first installment author Kerri Maniscalco's new series which is set in 19th century Palermo, Italy. The setting really adds depth to this story since it features important landmarks, Sicilian cuisine, and culture. Two sisters, Vittoria and Emilia DiCarlo have been taught by their nonna (Grandmother) about the Seven Demon Princes of Hell. The Wicked or Malvagi, as they are called are Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. For the sake of this story, Wrath, Greed, Envy, and Pride are the four she focuses on.

“One will crave your blood, one will capture your heart, one will steal your soul, and one will take your life.”

Emilia is the introverted one while Vittoria is the more adventurous one and isn’t too careful about keeping their identities hidden. The sisters live in a world where being a witch can get you killed. In fact, the story begins with an incident that happened when the sisters were (8) years old that will linger for years to come. 10 years later, (2) young women, likely witches, are found murdered in two different cities. Emilia finds Vittoria’s body soon thereafter in a very unexpected place. As Emilia reels from the loss of her other half, she starts to realize that maybe Vittoria didn't take their grandmother's warnings as seriously as she did—and maybe those "stories" of the Wicked demon princes have more than a grain of truth in them.

As Emilia sets out to find her sister's killer, she gets more than she bargained for when she summons Wrath, a prince of Hell himself. Wrath offers to help Emilia but only if she bounds herself to him for the duration to protect her from harm. She also learns about a dreaded ancient prophecy concerning the Devil and twins which seems to be coming to fruition. Deciphering the dark magic spell her sister put at her diary puts her on a crash course which she may not have any avenue but to do the unexpected. Soon, Emilia's efforts to find her sister's killer get her deeply involved with several other Princes of Hell trying to break the curse; specifically, Greed and Envy. 

As Emilia uncovers clues as to who killed Vittoria and why, she discovers the person responsible for killing her sister may be closer than she realized. (In fact, I guessed who the killer was pretty early in the book.) She’s stubborn despite her fear when she finds herself face to face with more than one demon prince. Each time she encounters them she learns something new about herself in the process. Emilia was strong lead character, but she rushes into dire situations headfirst even if it wasn’t always the best decision. She was both a strong female protagonist, but also flawed.

Wrath was front and center in this story from the moment he graced us with his presence. He's dangerous, he's got an agenda, he toys with Emilia terribly after she accidentally summons him from Hell, and he's probably the reason for most of Emilia's issues since she couldn't focus on other things that were happening around her. For those who love Enemies to Lovers tropes, this ones for you. However, I am not settled on whether Wrath is any better than his brothers, including Pride who is looking for a witch bride to break the curse.

There are Italian words and phrases sprinkled throughout the narrative, this adds a level of culture to the feel of the story. I have to say that as an Italian, who has visited Sicily while I was in the US Navy, I loved the different varieties of food that are mentioned throughout this book. If I could somehow transport myself into the book, I would be totally eating my heart’s content. One thing about Italians, we don't settle for just one meal. We have 6 different courses one right after the other. The other thing that makes this book more realistic is that the author's great-grandmother immigrated from Sciacca, Sicily to the US bringing a wealth of information to the table. 

 

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#Review - Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco #YALIT / #Mysteries

Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper (#4)
Format: Hardcover, 464 pages
Release Date: September 10, 2019
Publisher: JIMMY Patterson
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Mysteries

In the shocking finale to the bestselling series that began with Stalking Jack the Ripper, Audrey Rose and Thomas are on the hunt for the depraved, elusive killer known as the White City Devil. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse has them fighting to stay one step ahead of the brilliant serial killer---or see their fateful romance cut short by unspeakable tragedy.

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have landed in America, a bold, brash land unlike the genteel streets of London. But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well. When the two attend the spectacular World's Fair, they find the once-in-a-lifetime event tainted with reports of missing people and unsolved murders.

Determined to help, Audrey Rose and Thomas begin their investigations, only to find themselves facing a serial killer unlike any they've encountered before. Identifying him is one thing, but capturing him---and getting dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel he constructed as a terrifying torture device---is another.

Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end---together and in love---or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill?

“Beyond life, beyond death; My love for thee is eternal.”

Capturing the Devil is the Fourth and Final installment in author Kerri Maniscalco's Stalking Jack the Ripper series. The story takes place January 1889 thru February 1889. After disembarking the RMS Etruria, Audrey Rose Wadsworth, and Thomas Cresswell are in New York City along with her uncle, Dr. Wadsworth to assist in a murder investigation. Wherever Audrey Rose and Thomas go, murder seems to follow them around. 

Audrey's investigation into new murders appearing in New York City takes a long way to get to a point where she has some clue as to who the actual villain is. I made the connection as to who the killer was almost immediately after he is introduced. The story doesn't stay in New York that long. To add even more confusion, when Audrey Rose and Thomas are about to be married with all their friends in attendance, an unforeseen event takes place that stops them from being wed. Turns out, Thomas is already betrothed to another.  

Cresswell's father blackmail's Thomas into marrying someone else who coincidentally decides to show up at the wedding. If he doesn't marry the woman he chose, he will lose his inheritance and his sister will be forced to marry an old miser. Marriage in this universe is all about doing business and rising up in your status. Thomas is not at all happy with the proceedings, but that is pale in comparison to Audrey who has allowed Thomas into her heart, and made the choice to be with him while they are both under the tutelage of Dr. Wadsworth.

After the interruption, Audrey and Thomas choose to flee for Chicago. Chicago is hosting the World's Fair. Have to say, this added a legitimate feel to the story since the Fair was an actual historical event that did take place in Chicago. There are some returning characters from the previous installment including Mephistopheles (Ayden). To note, Audrey's is also disabled, her leg is injured and not healing properly leaving her needing a walking cane to get around. 

Not like disability or the cane stops her. Since the beginning, Audrey Rose has been attracted to the dark whilst also looking into the mind of a famed serial killer. She's kicked societal expectations about how a lady is supposed to act in the teeth. She picked up being a Medical Examiner with almost no hesitation. Before this story, there were still so many questions surrounding Audrey's brother Nathaniel and what happened over the first installment in this series. I'm glad that this plot hole was filled in sufficiently to allow the series to end in a heart warming manner.
 

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#Review - Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco #YALit #Horror

Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper#3
Format: Hardcover, 448 pages
Release Date: September 18, 2018
Publisher: jimmy patterson
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Horror

The #1 New York Times bestselling series that started with Stalking Jack the Ripper and Hunting Prince Dracula continues in this third bloody installment! A luxurious ocean liner becomes a floating prison of madness and horror when passengers are murdered one by one...with nowhere to run from the killer.

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they're delighted to discover a traveling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly.

But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slayings shocks the entire ship. The disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murders grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea. It's up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with clues to the next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer's horrifying finale? 

 

Escaping from Houdini is the third installment in author Kerri Maniscalco's Stalking Jack the Ripper series. This third book continues the incredibly popular series that began with Stalking Jack the Ripper and Hunting Prince Dracula. The series features 17-year old Audrey Rose Wadsworth as a forensic scientist in training along with her partner-in-crime Thomas Cresswell. This book takes place a short time after the ending of Hunting Price Dracula onboard the RMS Etruria heading for New York.

Rumors of Audrey and Thomas's adventures are now spreading thanks to two high stakes mysteries that they uncovered and brought an end to. In fact, Audrey's Uncle Jonathan has noticed a change in Audrey since she was sneaking into his workplace against her father's desires. Now, Audrey (who has tried to put the darkness of the previous adventures behind her) & Thomas must do so again, but not in New York, as previously thought, but onboard the RMS Etruria. Onboard the ship, the Captain of the ship has hired a traveling Carnival called the Midnight Carnival. 

"I inquire once more, which will you lose before the week is through? Your heart? Your head? Perhaps, you will lose your life, your very soul to this magical traveling show."

 

The Carnival's ring master, Mephistopheles, has promised 7 nights of magic, mischief and mayhem. One of the characters introduced in this story, is obviously Harry Houdini. It's fair to say, without spoiling, that the title is misleading at best, and has nothing to do with the murder mystery that Audrey and Thomas are set to investigate. You

should also know that the author took a whole lot of her own gambles by introducing Harry in this book, especially when in real life, he was only 15 years old at the time of this story. (1 January-9 January 1899). 

As the Midnight Carnival kicks off, the bodies begin to fall in earnest. Each night there is something more for Audrey and Thomas to discover. Each night they find out that they are not even close to discovering what is really happening. Each night the mysterious Mephistopheles takes an interest in Audrey, and Audrey's heart is torn in different directions. Mephisto is secretive, and dark, and willing to take chances, while Thomas, her partner, adds a bit of personal drama to the story.

"Truth is poison. Beware how much you ingest at once."

I think the scenes between Audrey and Mephisto are far more intriguing than the mystery itself. Audrey seemed much more human in this book compared to the last two. She's flawed and she has very real and complicated emotions, especially when it comes to Thomas and asking herself if Mephisto could make her happy. While I am not a fan of love triangles, I could imagine the possibilities were Audrey to choose to walk away her desired profession, and take a walk on the dark side.  

The story is less about finding out who the killer was and more about everything else that was happening on the ship. The carnival itself, the players who come from all sorts of walks of life, the curiousness of the diverse cast of characters, and Audrey's own cousin Liza who curiously or not found herself part of the Carnival, and in love with one of the players. The ending left me curious, and also puzzled. Nope, not going to talk about it except to say that I don't know where the author goes from here after what she put Audrey through. I can imagine she will continue her complicated mysteries into the next installment.

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Gizmo #Review - Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco #YALit #Horror

Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper # 2 
Format: Hardcover, 448 pags
Release Date: September 17, 2017
Publisher: jimmy patterson
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult \ Horror

In this New York Times bestselling sequel to Kerri Maniscalco's haunting #1 debut Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.

Hunting Prince Dracula, by author Kerri Maniscalco, is the followup to Stalking Jack the Ripper. The story takes place between December 1-26, 1888. 17-year old Audrey Rose Wadsworth is back. This time she and Thomas Cresswell are traveling via the Orient Express to Romania where they hope to study in the prestigious Academy of Forensic Medicine and Science. Before they even arrive though, there are headlines screaming about the possibility that Vlad Dracula may very well be alive and on the hunt after a body is found staked through the heart.

Apparently, the centuries dead legend has once again gained the imagination to the point where people truly believe it is possible that Dracula is an immortal. With the Ripper case fresh in her mind, and her imagination playing very cruel games with her, Audrey must find a way to put it all behind her if she is to be chosen as one of only two candidates to be entered into the next session of the school. This is a story that is as foreboding, as it is eerie. From a stunning murder on the Orient Express, to bodies piling up in and around the school, to the dangers that linger behind every corner, and possibly every student, Audrey and Thomas have their work cut out for them if they are to survive.

Historical Fiction is all about creating your own world, while also intermingling factual figures into your story. While this story is once set in the Victoria Era, Maniscalco knocks the walls down by allowing some things to happen between Audrey and Thomas that would probably have been frowned upon. She also uses the Orient Express as means of travel for Audrey Rose and Thomas. She uses the train for romantic means for Audrey and Thomas who grow even closer than before. Something that takes a whole lot for me to admit since I found Thomas a bit of a cad and a bloody bastard at times in both novels.

There's a bit of cooling at one point during the story after Thomas did something quite foolish. One could say that he bit off more than he could chew, and got smacked. But, Audrey gets a bit of clarity from her own cousins letter arrives and they end up in a good place when all is said and done. 

Bran Castle was never been a school for forensics, yet the historical and creepy aspects of the school gave the story a Gothic feel to it. Maniscalco's brilliant use of hallways, passageways, and tricky labyrinths that lead to life or death situations for Audrey and Thomas just prove that Maniscalco is not a one hit wonder.

The author also uses a secret society called The Order of the Dragon which really did exist at one point in history. The author twists the Order's membership by adding two female characters, Ileana and Daciana, something that really wouldn't have been possible in this era. Plus, Ileana and Daciana have a love for the other that is not restrained, but passionate and real. I do like the modern effort that allows Audrey to become a strong model for young women in today's society. She says I am strong, I am willing, and I am going to kick down the door on the male dominated world of forensic science, and make it my own.

I am extremely interested in what will play out in the next installment as Audrey and Thomas and Audrey's Uncle travel to America. Will the situation test their romance, or will it survive any circumstances thrown at them? We shall see.     

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#Monday Review - Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco #YALit #Suspense #Historical @KerriManiscalco @jimmy_books

Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper # 1
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Publisher: Jimmy Paterson
Source: Library
Genre: YA, Thrillers, Suspense, Historical

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

Stacking Jack the Ripper is the first installment in debut author Kerri Maniscalco's Stalking Jack the Ripper series. Stalking Jack the Ripper is a story that is dark and gruesome at times, fun where it can be, and romantic in other parts. The story is set in Victorian England, circa 1888, the series features 17-year old Audrey Rose Wadsworth as its protagonist. Audrey Rose is a forensic apprentice under the guise of her uncle Dr. Jonathan Wadsworth. She is intelligent, determined, and not really comfortable with fitting into societies expectations even though her aunt and father have impressed the importance of doing so. 

Maniscalco does a brilliant job of bringing Victorian England to life, while also taking some artistic changes to the time frame of the story and her villain, Jack the Ripper who is one of the more villainous murders in human history. Audrey becomes wrapped up in the Jack the Ripper murders after women are left propped up and savagely killed and innocent people are charged with their deaths. Audrey's journey would not be complete were it not for the inclusion of one Thomas Cresswell, who is not only as brilliant as Audrey, but perhaps even more arrogant because he isn't afraid to push Audrey out of her comfort zone. 

With a father like Audrey's who is petrified of diseases, and wanting to keep her wrapped up in bubble wrap until she marries, Audrey doesn't follow along like a meek Mary Sue waiting for the male alpha character to lead her where she needs to go. I dare say that the banter between Audrey and Thomas boarders on being Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson like. In case you're wondering, that's a good thing. The more snarky the banter, the more enjoyable the story. I like the dangers that Audrey faces and the way she handled each situation that was put into her way. 

I think the author sends a definite message to all young women that if you put your mind to it, and stick to what you want to do in your lives, you can do pretty much anything. Audrey wants to become a forensic scientist. She wants to be who she wants to be, and not let anyone put her in a mold and not let her express herself or who she actually is. The story's mystery is sound, and really I had no clue where it was going until the very end. That's a well written novel that doesn't really leave any bread crumbs for you to follow the the villain of the story.

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