Kingdom of the Wicked

August 31, 2020
In her latest novel, which kicks off a new series, Maniscalco (Stalking Jack the Ripper) delves into a richly imagined landscape of Italian folklore centered on Sicilian twins Emilia and Vittoria di Carlo. As goddess-descended witches, or streghe, the sisters are particularly at risk from the Malvagi, a brotherhood of demon princes. The lifelong enmity between the streghe and Malvagi means that the twins must always wear blessed amulets; when they bring them together one night as eight-year-olds, despite their Nonna’s dire warnings, they unwittingly free the seven princes from hell. After Emilia finds Vittoria’s murdered body, heart torn out, a decade later, the grief-stricken girl inadvertently summons one of the Malvagi: the Prince of Wrath. Together, the mortal enemies work to solve the murders of several streghe killed on Sicily. Lyrical writing and an immersive atmosphere accompany a well-built world rooted in 19th-century Palermo, especially evocative descriptions of food prepared in the family’s restaurant, while intriguing plot twists round off the novel. Ages 14–up. Agent: Barbara Poelle, Irene Goodman Literary.

October 1, 2020

Gr 8 Up-Emilia and Vittoria are twin witches living among humans. They possess a power that they don't speak of to anyone and learn early that there are seven demon princes, four of whom should be feared: Wrath, Greed, Envy, and Pride. These demons search for souls to steal for the devil. One evening Vittoria goes missing and Emilia discovers that she has been murdered. Emilia seeks revenge and commits to finding the murderer using all of her resources, regardless of the cost. While seeking vengeance she meets Wrath, who claims to be on her side and is also looking for a serial murderer. She must learn who to trust using magic and her wits while not being discovered as a witch. The interactions among the characters build a tale of suspicion and mystery. Maniscalco's writing is graceful and leaves plenty of anticipation for the next book in the series. Taking place in Sicily, Italy, the twins and family are Sicilians-some of whom possess magic and some who do not. VERDICT Fantasy, magic, devils, a murder mystery, shapeshifters, and the beginning of a series will make this book a new favorite for many.-Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton H.S., Linden, MI

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2020
A vengeful Sicilian witch forges an unlikely alliance resulting in epic, supernatural consequences. Eighteen-year-old Emilia di Carlo and her twin sister, Vittoria, have a secret: They are streghe, trained from a young age to use magic. Emilia is as introverted and romantic as her sister is bold and irreverent, but they share a love of good food and a disregard for their grandmother's warnings about the devil and his brothers. Known as the Malvagi or Wicked, the seven princes of Hell have not been seen in years until tragedy strikes and a foray into forbidden magic accidentally summons the Prince of Wrath: Three witches--including Vittoria--are dead, and Emilia is desperate to avenge her sister and stop the killings. An uneasy truce with Wrath soon blossoms into a tantalizing, dangerous attraction with an uneven power dynamic. Rich worldbuilding constructs a post-unification Kingdom of Italy in which witches, demons, and shape-shifters live--and battle--among oblivious humans in a society strongly influenced by the Catholic brotherhood in its midst. Several significant plot points unfold in a Capuchin monastery and its eerie catacombs, and the brotherhood's conflation of witchcraft with the devil is emphasized throughout. Most characters are cued as White--Emilia and her sister have brown eyes and hair and olive skin--while the dark-haired Wicked have golden skin. An intoxicating, tightly plotted feast for the senses with a dramatic cliffhanger. (map) (Historical fantasy. 12-18)

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October 1, 2020
Grades 9-12 Maniscalco launches a riveting new series with Kingdom of the Wicked. Emilia and Vittoria are twin sisters who are witches posing as ordinary so they can live among normal humans in nineteenth century Italy. When Emilia finds her beloved sister Vittoria murdered, she seeks the killer and vengeance. On her quest, Emilia meets a literal prince of Hell, Wrath. He offers to help Emilia, claiming he was sent by his master to investigate the deaths of young women desecrated like Emilia's sister. However, Wrath may not be telling the entire truth. Emilia must assess his trustworthiness and decide what she is willing to do to solve her sister's murder. Maniscalco delivers witches, demons, intrigue, and Hell itself in an explosive new story. The characters are richly drawn; the worldbuilding is smart, based on historical events and infused with magic; and the page-turning plot is a force to be reckoned with. Food, family, magic, and romance are threaded into this propulsive story, making it a thrilling, wondrous, and atmospheric tale.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)