I must be going through some sort of villain/morally gray love interest phase because that’s all I’ve been reading it seems! Getting to read Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco before its release is like the reward I had been waiting for all summer and the moment the book was in my hands, I kept it by my side and relished every moment. In Fallen, we have transitioned from YA to Adult, so the romance promised to be even steamier…and my friends, this book did not disappoint. Some days, fictional characters are exactly what the doctor ordered…
Throne of the Fallen delves back into the Kingdom of the Wicked with a focus on the Prince of Envy. This prince has entered a deadly game where the stakes are high, but nothing will stand in his way of getting what he wants. He’ll go through riddles, hexed objects, and even other players, but nothing has prepared him for Camilla Antonius. She has quite the talent for painting with secrets that could ruin her. She’ll be forced to enter into a bargain with the wicked prince himself, and they’ll embark on a journey that will take them across the Shifting Isles, the Vampire Court, and even the realm of the Fae.
Before we go into this review, please know that although this is a standalone book, it is part of the Kingdom of the Wicked universe. If you haven’t read them, I would definitely encourage it as there are scenes that would be even more enjoyable if you know the background. However, I do think you can have an incredible experience if you decide to pick up Throne of the Fallen on its own.
With that said, I truly enjoyed this book from start to finish. It’s told from the perspective of both Envy and Camilla. In previous books, we have seen Envy go through the gamut of emotions, but without the depth that this book explores. There’s an added element of desperation that creates a new scenario for the Wicked Prince…one where he needs to learn to ask for help. Of course we get to see him be charming, but even better than that, we have to see him work at it with Camilla. She is a fascinating enigma whose head I loved getting into when the chapters were from her perspective. She is far beyond a simple painter, and her battle of wits and wills with Envy was delightful. The romance is absolutely rife with tension, passion, and my favourite of all feelings—anticipation.
Delving into this story feels like reading a riddle. You start off confident that you know every twist and turn the book is going to take, but then you keep trying to solve it and come up empty. Every time I thought I got closer to figuring out what each character’s moves would be, I would be surprised and keep reading to find out more. This is going to be a book that you don’t want to put down until the very end.
You’ll be driven to the edge of your seat with questions that you have to keep reading to get the answers for. Interestingly enough, my favourite scene has nothing to do with romance, but with another Wicked Prince whose story I hope Maniscalco gets to tell one day! We also get to see some of our favourite past characters return. More than anything, what I loved most is that whilst it is an extension of the Kingdom of the Wicked series, it is also its own world. There’s more focus on characters that were only briefly mentioned before and now they have come to life and to carve out places in our hearts.
Throne of the Fallen is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of October 3rd.
Will you be picking up Throne of the Fallen? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
The adult debut of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco, Throne of the Fallen is a seductive new standalone novel set within her fan-favorite Kingdom of the Wicked world, perfect for readers of fantasy, romance, and mystery alike.
Sinner. Villain. Ruthless.
These are wicked names the Prince of Envy welcomes. They remind him what he isn’t: a saint. And when a cryptic note arrives, signaling the beginning of a deadly game, he knows he’ll be called much worse before it ends. Riddles, hexed objects, anonymous players, nothing will stand in his way. With a powerful artifact and his own future at stake, Envy is determined to win, though none of his meticulous plans prepare him for her, the frustrating artist who ignites his sin—and passion—like no other…
Talented. Darling. Liar.
The trouble with scoundrels and blackguards is that they haven’t a modicum of honor, a fact Miss Camilla Antonius learns after one desperate mistake allows notorious rake—and satire sheet legend—Lord Phillip Vexley to blackmail her. And now it seems Vexley isn’t the only scoundrel interested in securing her unique talents as a painter. To avoid Vexley’s clutches and a ruinous scandal, Camilla is forced to enter a devil’s bargain with Waverly Green’s newest arrival, enigmatic Lord Ashford ‘Syn’ Synton, little expecting his game will awaken her true nature . . .
Together, Envy and Camilla must embark on a perilous journey through the Shifting Isles—from glittering demon courts to the sultry vampire realm, and encounters with exiled Fae—while trying to avoid the most dangerous trap of all: falling in love.
