Book Review: Kingdom of the Cursed & Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
Romance, Wrath, and Wickedness You Can’t Resist
Looking for a spicy new adult romance with dark magic, sinfully seductive princes, and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic that’ll make you scream? Then welcome back to hell—literally—with the final two books in the Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy by Kerri Maniscalco in today's book review!
These last two installments—Kingdom of the Cursed and Kingdom of the Feared—take everything the first book hinted at and crank up the heat, drama, and deliciously dark romance. This is where the romantasy really shines.
The Story So Far (No Spoilers)
After the events of Kingdom of the Wicked, Emilia finds herself whisked away to the Seven Circles of Hell where nothing is what it seems. Court politics, betrayals, secrets, and magical deception reign supreme.
In Kingdom of the Cursed, Emilia navigates the seductive, deadly court of the Wicked Princes—especially Wrath, the sinfully alluring Prince of War. Their alliance is tenuous. Their chemistry? Absolutely electric. This book is all about the tension: will-they-won’t-they moments, magical trials, and forbidden desires bubbling just beneath the surface.
Then comes Kingdom of the Feared, the grand finale. Emilia’s journey takes a sharp turn into answers, action, and heat. The final book is all about unraveling the mysteries, embracing her power, and deciding who she truly is… while her relationship with Wrath finally reaches its boiling point. Expect epic reveals, romantic payoff, and a satisfying ending that ties everything up with a dark little bow.
The Romance: Tension, Fire, and Forbidden Feels
Let’s talk about Emilia and Wrath. Their relationship is a slow-burn delight across the series, but Kingdom of the Cursed is where it becomes unmissable. Wrath is every broody, morally gray, “touch her and die” book boyfriend you’ve ever wanted, and Emilia? She becomes his perfect match—fierce, passionate, and done playing nice.
By Kingdom of the Feared, that sexual tension finally breaks, and fans of spicy romance will not be disappointed. These two have chemistry that could scorch the pages.
Popular Tropes & Themes You’ll Love
👑 Enemies to Lovers
🗡️ Morally Gray Love Interest
🔥 Forbidden Romance
💋 Spicy Slow Burn
😈 Magical Trials & Deadly Courts
💀 Hidden Identity / Secret Powers
📜 Prophecies and Ancient Curses
🧛♀️ Paranormal Meets Fantasy Vibes
💫 Found Power + Self-Discovery
The Series as a Whole
This is a trilogy that builds. Book 1 (Kingdom of the Wicked) sets the stage with murder, mystery, and intrigue. Book 2 (Kingdom of the Cursed) steals the show, delivering steamy tension, emotional complexity, and magical depth. And Book 3 (Kingdom of the Feared) wraps things up with spice, twists, and solid conclusions.
Kerri Maniscalco’s writing is cinematic and addictively readable. It’s dark without being bleak, sexy without being over-the-top, and fantastical without being hard to follow.
Bonus? There’s a spin-off featuring Envy already available, so if you’re not ready to leave this world behind—you won’t have to.
Who This Series Is For:
You’ll love this trilogy if you enjoy:
✔️ Romantasy with rich, lush worldbuilding
✔️ Spicy romance with a slow-burn payoff
✔️ Enemies-to-lovers dynamics done right
✔️ Dark court intrigue and paranormal twists
✔️ Fierce female leads coming into their power
🚫 Who Might Not Enjoy It:
This series may not be for you if you:
❌ Prefer fast, action-heavy plots over tension and atmosphere
❌ Don’t enjoy stories with a heavy focus on romantic development
❌ Dislike morally gray characters or ambiguous decisions
❌ Prefer fade-to-black or closed-door romance
Final Thoughts for this Week's Book Review
Kingdom of the Cursed and Kingdom of the Feared elevate this series from intriguing to unforgettable. If you're a fan of steamy, swoony fantasy romance with mystery, magic, and a satisfying conclusion, this completed paranormal romantasy trilogy deserves a spot on your shelf.
Come for the Wrath. Stay for the heat, heart, and Hell.
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