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
Genres: Young adult, Fantasy
Pages: 385
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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With so many mixed reviews flying around, I was both anxious and excited to dive into Wicked Saints. On the surface it seemed like exactly the kind of book I love, with a Gothic sensibility, horrific elements, blood magic, warring religions and even monsters. And the verdict? I was pleasantly surprised by this book, and even though there are elements that didn’t quite work for me, overall I had fun reading it and I’m invested enough to continue the series.
Nadezhda Lapteva, or Nadya as she’s called, is a cleric, one of the last of her kind who can speak to the gods and channel their magic. Because of a drawn out war between the Kalyazins and the heretical Tranavians, Nadya has been in hiding for years, trying to stay one step ahead of the Tranavians who have nearly killed off all the clerics. But one day, presumably safe in a monastery at the top of the Baikkle Mountains, an alarm goes off. Tranavians have breached the grounds and Nadya must run for her life.
One of the Tranavians, a prince named Serefin Meleski, is searching for a cleric who is rumored to live in the monastery. But before they can find her, Serefin is called home to the palace by his father.
And as Nadya runs from her pursuers, she meets a band of rebels who are determined to kill the king in order to stop the war. Nadya reluctantly joins them on the way to the palace, but can she trust the handsome Malachiasz Czechowicz, a blood mage who seems to have an ulterior motive? She’s about to find out, as Nadya, Malachiasz and Serefin converge on the palace, and a centuries old war comes to a head.
Duncan has created a wonderfully Gothic and dark atmosphere, full of morally gray characters who do not always behave the way you expect them to. She’s pulled her character names from the Russian/Slavic culture, which added a nice dimension to her tale. The story revolves around blood magic, and be warned if you’re squeamish when it comes to blood, because this story is dripping with it. The blood mages carry around spellbooks wherever they go, and their magic works by cutting themselves and smearing blood on the pages of the book. Because there is danger at every turn, mages sew razor blades into the sleeves of their jackets so they always have a quick way of drawing blood. The story becomes more and more blood-soaked as it goes along, and to be honest I found myself a little disgusted at times, especially since the characters always seem to have blood dripping down their arms and they are constantly wiping that blood off on their clothing.
Nadya’s magic is of a completely different type. She can speak to all the gods of her religion and by rubbing a particular bead on a necklace, she can ask for their help whenever she needs it. I loved the descriptions of what each god can do for her, although I have to admit I was disappointed when the sections where she talks to the gods stopped halfway through the book. I would have liked that idea developed even more.
I did enjoy Nadya’s character, but in all honesty the star of the show is Malachiasz, a tortured Tranavian who used to be one of the Vultures, blood mages who have misused their power and have literally become monsters, with iron claws and teeth and ferocious, evil powers. Malachiasz is fighting with his monstrous side, and this made his character so much more interesting that everyone else. And fan artists are going to have a field day with him! I’m not even an artist and I could see every paint stroke in my head as I was reading.
I also liked Serefin, the prince who is tired of doing his father’s bidding, and when he discovers his father is hiding a big secret, he wants to distance himself from his heritage even more. I really loved the interactions between Serefin and Nadya, which luckily didn’t stray into a romantic entanglement. (The same cannot be said for the burgeoning romance between Nadya and Malachiasz!) A couple of side characters also added a lot to the story, in particular Malachiasz’s friends Rashid and Parijahan.
I did find the first half of the story to be rather slow and aimless, but at about the halfway point, all the main characters converge in the palace and that’s when the action really takes off. The second half is a breathless, bloody showdown with just about every character facing some kind of mortal danger. I wasn’t sure how I would feel at the end of the story, but I’m actually looking forward to the next book!
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
I’ve seen some fanart of this book already and I’m not surprised that almost all of it is of Malachiasz. It’s just… the aesthetics. If I could draw I’d draw him too.
I agree about the first half not being that great, but the second one made me forgive it. Especially the ending.
Great review!
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Yes exactly! I forgave the first half because of the second. I just googled the fan art and yep, it’s pretty much all Malachiasz! I’d like to see some Serefin too.
Great review! I’m excited and anxious for this one. Reviews have indeed been very mixed.
I still feel a little mixed myself, but I can see why readers are loving it. I’ll definitely check out the next book!
Great review and I agree with everything you said, especially about Malachiasz really being the star of the book. I’m curious to see if that continues in the next book or if Nadya moves more front and center. I also agree about the second half vs the first half. I was thinking it was going to be a 3 star read for me based on the first half, but then, BAM! the second half was outstanding and I settled on a 4.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…Can’t Wait Wednesday – WHISPER NETWORK by Chandler Baker
That’s exactly what happened to me, a solid 3 stars until they all get to the palace and then it was almost like a different book:-)
It’s good to know the first half gets off to a rocky start, and it sounds like the second half more than makes up for it. Terrific review, Tammy!
It definitely found it’s stride in the second half!
Intriguing… The actual rivers of blood might pose a problem, indeed, but I think that since I’m used to seeing it used in magic thanks to October Daye, I could probably stand all that blood-letting. Although the idea of the razor blades sewn in clothes makes me shudder a little! What a strange fashion sense… 😀 😀
Thanks for sharing!
Maddalena@Spaceandsorcery recently posted…Short Story Review: UNDER THE SEA OF STARS, by Seanan Mcguire
The razor blades in the sleeves were actually a great idea, but still made me a little squeamish:-O
Oh I just started this book so I don’t want to read this just YET. I’ll be back to comment again this week 🙂
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I’ll look forward to your review, Daniela!
I’m ok with books that are dripping with blood. Honestly the blood magic you described sounds pretty cool and I ‘m kinda intrigued by these characters that constantly have blood dripping down their arms even though that’s so extreme, haha. I’ve already seen a bunch of fan art, so the artists *are* having a field day XD I’m looking forward to trying this one!
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight recently posted…Book Review: Phase Shift (Chaos Station Book 5) by Jenn Burke & Kelly Jensen
I’m going to have to go google the fan art! Actually I’m not surprised it’s out there already:-)
Mmm, Not sure about this one. I have been loving the look and sound of it but for now, probably because i simply have too much on, I’m just going to sit on the fence.
Lynn 😀
Totally get it, There is so much out there to read anyway!
Ever since this started getting hyped up I’ve been interested, but not committed. Great review! I think I’ll wait for the library copy.
Yeah, I think the hype might be a little over the top, but I can see why readers are loving it.
This sounds like it has some good things going for it I do enjoy a gothic atmosphere. 🙂
It’s not perfect, but I did enjoy it!
this sounds like it’s an interesting world. Not sure how I would feel about Nadya as well, but Malachiasz sounds interesting!
He was very interesting, I definitely want to read the next book to see where his story arc goes.
I’ve heard fabulous things about this one, but thanks for the warning that some parts might be slow because otherwise I would have had stratospheric expectations for this! Hoping to read this one soon!
I’ve actually seen the whole gamut of ratings, from one star on up, so I was a little worried. Certainly not a perfect book, but I loved some of the elements.
I want this one. And I love that cover.
I really want to try this one for myself. Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts, Tammy!
Nice review, Tammy! I’ll definitely keep the pacing issues in mind if I read this book, just so I know to be patient with it. 😉
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I’m looking forward to this one! Maybe the dark and gothic atmosphere will be enough to keep me happy!
Loved hearing your thoughts on this one, Tammy!
I think I’d enjoy the atmosphere even though it takes a while to ramp up. Thanks.