5 Answers2026-07-31 20:55:23
Okay, so 'Kingdom of the Wicked' is a trilogy, and I think there's a bit of mix-up with the title in the question. If we're talking about the second book, it's actually called 'Kingdom of the Cursed'—'Wrath' is likely referring to the overarching theme or the princes, like Wrath the demon prince. But to get the main plot, you have to start with the first book, 'Kingdom of the Wicked'. It's about this mortal witch, Emilia, in a version of 19th-century Sicily, who vows revenge after her twin sister Vittoria is brutally murdered.
She suspects the Wicked, the seven demon princes of Hell from the legends she was raised on. Her investigation leads her to make a bargain with Wrath, one of those very princes, to find the killer. The plot really kicks off as this uneasy alliance forms, full of deception and simmering tension, as they navigate a world of witches, demons, and Italian folklore. It's a murder mystery wrapped in dark fantasy romance.
By the second book, 'Kingdom of the Cursed', the main plot shifts to Emilia basically entering Hell itself, competing in a deadly courtly game among the princes to gain power and uncover deeper truths about her sister, her own heritage, and the political machinations of the underworld. The 'wrath' element is both literal, regarding the prince, and figurative, driving Emilia's relentless pursuit.
5 Answers2026-07-31 06:00:31
The book is the third in the 'Kingdom of the Wicked' trilogy, so yes, absolutely part of a series. It wraps up Emilia and Wrath's story in a pretty definitive way. The series order is 'Kingdom of the Winned', 'Kingdom of the Cursed', and then this one. You could maybe read the first two as a duology if you really wanted to stop there, but 'Kingdom of the Wrath' pulls together all the threads from the previous books, especially the political machinations in Hell and the fallout from the demon murders.
I saw someone ask if it could work as a standalone, and honestly, I'd say no. You'd be missing too much context on the sister's murder, the princes, and the whole curse dynamic. The emotional payoff in the third book hinges on everything that came before. That said, the ending felt a bit rushed to me compared to the lush, atmospheric pacing of the first one. Still, it's a necessary piece of the series puzzle.