I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan Series: Something Dark and Holy #1
Published by Wednesday Books on April 2, 2019
Pages: 385
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
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A girl who can speak to gods must save her people without destroying herself.
A prince in danger must decide who to trust.
A boy with a monstrous secret waits in the wings.
Together, they must assassinate the king and stop the war.
In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, their three paths entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light. Wicked Saints is the thrilling start to Emily A. Duncan’s devastatingly Gothic Something Dark and Holy trilogy..
Holy WOW this book was EPIC. I’ve been super excited for this one ever since it was announced, and it did NOT disappoint! I remember hearing – early on when it was first announced – that it was being compared to the Grisha trilogy, and I DEFINITELY felt those Grisha Vibes. Not to get too crazy about it, but Nadya DEFINITELY reminded me of Alina, Kostya was comparable to Mal, and Serefin was for sure like the Darkling.
I also had major Kingdom of Fire trilogy vibes – I think because of the dark, lush, atmospheric tone of the book. Also, the Vultures in Wicked Saints reminded me of the Ancients in the Kingdom of Fire trilogy. There were also moments when I had Throne of Glass vibes because of things like the salt mines and the mention of assassins and all that. And for some reason, Nehemia (from Crown of Midnight) kept randomly coming to mind, but I’m not sure why.
I LOVED Nadya. She was an epic badass. Malachiasz had me intrigued from the beginning, and only got better and better as the story went on – until the end because WTF OMG?!?!?!?!?!?!??! Serefin was… Wow. I don’t even know, honestly. By his own admission, he said, “I’m heartless, but I’m not cruel.” And he definitely had some heartless moments, but he also had some… interesting things going on… (vague descriptions are vague.. But spoilers..!! So.. JUST READ IT AND YOU SHALL SEE WHAT I MEAN!!). Plus, the way his story ended was…!!!!!!!!!!!
This book was just so dark and creepy and delicious.. I can’t even put it into words or do it justice. The ending was INTENSE and EPIC and CRAZY and I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!!!!!! (Okay, maybe I did a little, but also I didn’t so… WTF?!?!?!?!?)
I HIGHLY recommend this one for those who loved the Grisha trilogy, and for those who like dark, creepy books with epic characters and incredible world-building. Emily A. Duncan is a fantastic writer, and I’m already SO PUMPED for the second book in this trilogy – plus anything and everything else that she writes!