November 2021 Not First in a Series BOTM - Kingdom of the Cursed, by Kerri Maniscalco

[Alaina]

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...

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

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

**This BOTM thread will be open until December 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Jenn]

Starting this one today!

[Jenn]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[ am i the only one who wants to spend time in Wraths library? I mean both of them sound amazing. Im loving the descriptions on his castle (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[ oh emilia, of all sins why would you choose to visit Envy first?? I cant imagine this going well. Also damnnnn could her and wrath be any freaking hotter together? Ngl, i love that shes his betrothed. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 22:(view spoiler)[ ok Emilia needs to tell Wrath she can't access her magic. This is a huge hindrance esp with the party coming up. But on a fun side, i am loving their scenes together. Them eating the garlic and bread together...swoon (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ OMG!!! ok this book for me was better than the first one. So much was revealed ans while i guessed some of it (she was actually betrothed to Wrath, Wrath was the actual devil) i did not guess that her sister was still alive. What the hell?? But now i cannot wait until the next book! (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

27%

(view spoiler)[I like how Wrath keeps helping her and protecting her even though she is very obstinate. I just wonder if his actions are honest and that he cares about Emilia or if he has some ulterior motives.

The vivid lust dream was pretty hot. Emilia better keep her feelings on lock down.

There are so many things that are still so mysterious. Who keeps leaving her enchanted skulls and what do the riddles mean? Why is Wrath just keeping her at his home if she is supposed to be Pride's betrothed now? Why wouldn't Pride summon her immediately? Is what she figured out about her and her sister being born true? Did their birth really set the devil free so he has been free this whole time? What does that part of the prophecy mean about one twin ruling hell and the other being in heaven? And what is this new power that she senses within herself? This new magic that isn't any of the five that she has been taught about? Her grandmother has really been keeping secrets. If I were her, I would be more angry. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[OMG, yes, please! Two libraries? And his castle does sound awesome. I liked that when she described her room and bathroom that there were all kinds of personal touches geared towards her. All the clothes and makeup and the things that just appeared after she wished for them. I assume that Wrath didn't have to give her those things but he did. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "27%"

So many mysteries in this one! (view spoiler)[ I was also like why is Pride being so lax. For someone who needs to find a bride, he's just like chilling and having parties. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Prologue: (view spoiler)[ohhhhhhhmydamn - yes. I love it. I want more. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[Oh you guys are getting cheeky. I love it. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[fjldkfjlkdajfla why why why why why. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[Okay well that was an interesting move to make. Also, yes, I want to see this! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 31-Finish: (view spoiler)[Well, shit. I didn't see ANY of that happening towards the end. I can't handle the waiting period - I need the next book NOW! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]"

I call dibs! I mean.. I volunteer as tribute. I mean.. I WANNA GO!

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]"

I lalalalalalalallove her and wrath!

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 22:[spoilers removed]"

Yeah, one would think she would say that.. but I just enjoyed them being in each other's fiery company.

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

OMG SAME! My mind is blown right now. I need the next book and the waiting is going to kill me!!!

[Alaina]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "27%.."

I loved his protectiveness too but it also gave me so many questions at the same time. I'll admit the ending reveals definitely shocked me.

[Jenn]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 31-Finish: [spoilers removed]"

This whole waiting for the next book thing is KILLING me haha.

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Ch 31-Finish: [spoilers removed]"

This whole waiting for the next book thing is KILLING me haha."

ugh same girl same!

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

41%

(view spoiler)[That was quite the dinner party. Lord Makedin deserved getting his tongue sliced out of his mouth for the way he talked to Emilia but I honestly think that I would have preferred if she had done it instead of Wrath. It seemed like she was certainly primed to do it before Wrath struck.

I am liking the underground lake scene. Yes indeed.

I have to agree with Emilia. I like the Matron too. She wasn't afraid to give it to Wrath straight. The way that she talked to him amused me. And the Matron seems to know what the secret is that he doesn't want Emilia to know. Interesting.

So the mark that he gave her that allows her to summon him without something that belongs to him is permanent. Like, it is magic that can never be undone. Even in death, apparently. And he gave her that mark because she was dying and the mark allowed him to take the poison into his own body to save her. That's some deep ass shit. And not surprisingly, she isn't betrothed to Pride at all. She never broke their connection so she is still betrothed to Wrath. I don't know how she was able to pledge to marry Pride though if she was already betrothed to Wrath. Something isn't adding up. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

68%

(view spoiler)[I am going to be honest. Emilia's dinner with Envy produced a lot of new information. All of it confusing as hell.

The way that Wrath went about her training was a little too much in my opinion. He could have trained her without humiliating her. And Wrath certainly wasn't happy about the skulls.

So Emilia is cursed now for stealing the book from Envy and now she is mortal and no longer has magic.

I don't know what to make of Antonio. I am not sure that I believe that he was under the influence of someone's magic and that it why he killed all those girls. His hatred for witches when he spoke to Emilia felt real to me. I don't know what this tonic is that they are having him take but I don't think that his actions were purely someone else's machinations. I may be wrong though. Maybe Antonio was a pawn and he was placed under some spell to kill those girls. If that is the case, I wonder if Emilia could forgive him. She once thought that she loved him so I can't imagine that those feeling would just fade away for her even if he did kill her sister.

Oh shit, someone just tried to murder Emilia. I wonder who would want her dead? Someone that doesn't want House Wrath to become even stronger if she were to go through with the marriage to Wrath? (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[That vision that Emilia had was strange. I don't know what I think of Emilia's idea that she is the devil's bride and that she was cursed to have her memories taken away. I mean, I could almost believe that but there are things about that theory that I don't quite understand. Like how could she be her if that happened hundreds of years ago? How could that be her is she was born twenty years ago and has a twin that the devil's bride was never mentioned as having? Things don't really add up but I also can't discount it.

The thing about the devil being more of a title for the prince with the most power or magic was interesting. If the title of devil can be passed between them then anyone could be the devil and could have been at any given time. The devil that was cursed wouldn't necessarily have been Pride, it could have been any of them. Just as the current devil could be any of them. That would make it impossible for Emilia to know who to trust without knowing.

I wonder why Pride has the root that affects the princes and why he would have so much and what he would want it for? Also curious about what Emilia asked him, why he was pretending to be caught up with lovers and the like when he clearly had other inclinations.

I like that Wrath offered to take her place in the sacrifice. Even if things didn't go as he thought they would, his coming forward to take her place says a lot.

I honestly didn't understand anything the crone said to Emilia.

Wrath is the devil. Samael. I guess I'm not that shocked. And I assumed that the Horns of Hades were the wings that the witch took in the prologue. Though I'm still not sure why he was cursed if he didn't have a consort or wife. Wrath said that all of his brothers were cursed, but how were they cursed? And which brother had the consort that was the daughter of the witch that cursed them?

Now she thinks that she is the first witch? The one that cursed them? How could that even be possible?

So Celestia is the crone. And she called her daughter. What does that mean? And why does she want the spellbook?

So Vittoria is alive? How is that even possible? Was she the one that was leaving the skulls for Emilia then? And is Emilia right? That her sister betrayed her and orchestrated everything? Why would she do that? The skull said told her to come to the isle to learn how they can break their curse. I was unaware that the two of them had been cursed. But Emilia was right. She had mourned her sister and risked so much to avenge her death. If she has been alive all this time then she mustn't care about Emilia at all or she would have come to her.

So her magic is back?

So it faded to black there but I assume that they consumated their bond and solidified their marriage?

I am still really confused about what the hell is going on. I assume that we will find out all these details in the third book but I am still running over everything in my head and not coming up with anything that makes sense. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes, it struck me as odd that she would visit Envy but I guess she got some information out of it. And yes, they are so hot together. I am loving their chemistry. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 22:[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I can see why she didn't tell him. I think that it would be a weakness to divulge something like that to him. And I am living for their scenes together! (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes, me too. I think that this book was so much better than the first book, which I also loved. There was a lot of information in this one but a lot of it confused me to no end. Mostly the stuff at the end was confusing. And I still have no idea how Vittoria is alive and why she has been ignoring her sister this whole time. I am hoping that Vittoria isn't going to or already had betrayed Emilia but I sense that maybe that is the route we're on now. I'm not sure. There is still so much we don't know and the clues that we got in this book are hard to decipher without more information. I so need the next book ASAP. I can't believe we have to wait! (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Alaina wrote: "Prologue: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I know! The prologue really sets the tone. I loved it. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 1-10: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I love Wrath and Emilia together. They are perfect. (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 31-Finish: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes, I was a little shocked with all the information at the end. I have no idea what to think now. And it will be agony waiting for the third book! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "41%.."

👏 yes 👏 he 👏 did 👏
👏👏👏👏

[Alaina]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "68%.."

I felt the exact same way! Once we got a new piece of information my brain just short of blacked out.

[Alaina]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Finished!..."

Confused? Hell to the yes right now.
BETRAYED? HECK YES 👏👏👏

I have so many questions with what went down towards the end because all the little and big reveals hurt my head so much. I have whiplash from it all. Which is why I need the sequel desperately.

[Alaina]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Prologue: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I honestly love when a prologue does that. Just puts me in the mood to read.

[Alaina]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Ch 1-10: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

hell yeah they were!

[Alaina]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Ch 31-Finish: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

The waiting period is heart breaking

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Alaina wrote: "♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Finished!..."

Confused? Hell to the yes right now.
BETRAYED? HECK YES 👏👏👏

I have so many questions with what went down towards the end because all the little and big reveals hur..."

Yes, exactly this. There was just SO MUCH that happened and so much new information at the end that it is impossible to process it all. It had my brain in a tizzy. Usually, books only have one or two big revelations at the end but this book just kept throwing things out at us. Waiting an entire year for the final book will be pure torture. I really hope that she decided to write more books in this world. I think that I saw on her Instagram that she had thought up stories for Envy, Pride, and Gluttony as well and that she had also thought about writing a prequel about Wrath. But she also said that she has lots of other ideas outside of this world that she wants to write about as well. I would so love stories about the other princes though!

[Alaina]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Alaina wrote: "♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Finished!..."

Confused? Hell to the yes right now.
BETRAYED? HECK YES 👏👏👏

I have so many questions with what went down towards the end because all the little and ..."

WAIT WHAT? I WANT ALL OF THOSE THOUGH!

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Alaina wrote: "♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Alaina wrote: "♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Finished!..."

Confused? Hell to the yes right now.
BETRAYED? HECK YES 👏👏👏

I have so many questions with what went down towards the end because a..."

For real. It would be awesome.

[Aly]

Ch 1-11 (view spoiler)[ Whew! Things have heated up and I love it! I just want them to team up and rule, forget Pride (hide spoiler)]

[Vanessa Gayle ⚔️]

Aly wrote: "Ch 1-11 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes, I love how things get steamier in this book! I want Wrath and Emilia all the time, all day long. =P They would make a pretty pair as king and queen. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Aly wrote: "Ch 1-11 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Yes they would!

[Aly]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "41%

That was quite the dinner party. Lord Makedin deserved getting his tongue sliced out of his mouth for the way he talked to Emilia but I honestly think that I would have preferred if she had do..."

(view spoiler)[ I'm so happy that she's still engaged to Wrath! I just need them to get on the same page and get married!

I think it would have been better if she'd handled Makedin herself too. It would have shown she can take care of her own problems (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 11-20 (view spoiler)[ I love their back and forth, but I also want them to just be in love and together. Hopefully he'll start being her partner instead of ordering her around after she told him what she expected. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "68%

I am going to be honest. Emilia's dinner with Envy produced a lot of new information. All of it confusing as hell.

The way that Wrath went about her training was a little too much in my opin..."

So much has happened! (view spoiler)[ I was so surprised to find out that Emilia is cursed! I wonder how she can fix that?

And who tried to kill her? That was a scary moment (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 21-30 (view spoiler)[ Ah the tension between them is killing me! I feel like I'm going to have to wait for book 3 to see them actually get together instead of teasing and grinding lol.

Gluttony is blah, but so are all of Wrath's brothers. If Devil is a title, who has it now? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Alaina wrote: "♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Finished!..."

Confused? Hell to the yes right now.
BETRAYED? HECK YES 👏👏👏

I have so many questions with what went down towards the end because all the little and ..."

I'd love to read stories about the other brothers

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "♛Vanessa♛ wrote: "Finished!..."

Confused? Hell to the yes right now.
BETRAYED? HECK YES 👏👏👏

I have so many questions with what went down towards the end because all the little and big reveals hur..."

a lot went on here!

[Aly]

Ch 31-End (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Wrath looked out for her, though he did lie about being the Devil and he knew her sister was alive which is some bullshit.

Also I'm pretty mad that her sister faked her death or something and didn't tell her. It makes me think she's trying to get power for herself and might be evil...

Hopefully in the last book we finally get to see Wrath and Emilia working together and in love! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Aly wrote: "Ch 31-End .."

(view spoiler)[ I do not trust her sister AT ALL (hide spoiler)]