Review of Throne of the Fallen (Princes of Sin #1) by Kerri Maniscalco. This is Maniscalco’s first dark adult fantasy stand-alone novel.
“And I love being a sinner too much to ever be a saint.”
– Throne of the Fallen
Kerri Maniscalco
‘Throne of the Fallen’ by Kerri Maniscalco is a captivating fantasy adventure filled with mystery and magic
Synopsis
Sinner. Villain. Wicked.
The Prince of Envy has never claimed to be a saint. But when a cryptic note arrives, signaling the beginning of a deadly game, he knows it will take more than a hint of sin to win and save his falling demon court. Riddles, hexed objects, anonymous players, nothing will stand in his way, though none of his meticulous plans prepare him for her, the frustrating artist who ignites his sin like no other…
Virtuous. 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 Waverly Green’s most notorious rake to blackmail her. To avoid a ruinous scandal, Camilla is forced to enter a devil’s bargain with Envy, little expecting his game will awaken her true nature . . .
Together, Envy and Camilla must embark on a perilous journey through the Underworld—from glittering demon courts to the sultry vampire realm and beyond—while trying to avoid the most dangerous trap of all: falling in love.
Review
When picking up Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco, I was drawn in by this captivating fantasy novel that combines dark fantasy, a strong female lead, and themes of magic and betrayal.
Envy and Camilla, the central characters of this fantasy novel, navigate a world teeming with magic and treachery. While Envy and Camilla didn’t quite evoke the same level of excitement as other characters I’ve encountered in Maniscalco’s books, their dynamic and chemistry added depth to the story, reflecting the allure of Maniscalco’s narrative.
The undeniable chemistry between these two was simply electric. This book is undeniably spicy, brimming with tantalizing and indulgent scenes. If a lot of spice in a book is your cup of tea, or should I say your Spicy Margarita, then Throne of the Fallen is the book for you.
I loved Camilla as a character; she was so fun to follow around. Camilla is feisty and not afraid to stand up for herself, but at the same time, she has a beautiful soft side. I loved that her passion was painting. As a strong female protagonist, Camilla’s journey resonates with readers, drawing them deeper into the world of dark fantasy that Maniscalco masterfully constructs.
The challenges and difficult choices in the story, especially the game Envy plays, kept me interested and excited to see what would happen. Maniscalco’s great storytelling told a story of magic and betrayal that kept me very engaged. I absolutely love it when authors reveal information piece by piece. It is so fun to me that I am discovering new information at the same time as the other characters in the book. And Envy is a prince of hell and is
However, I think Throne of the Fallen could have been shorter to stay more focused on the plot. Some parts seemed unnecessary and could have been left out without affecting the overall story. The ending on the other hand was exciting, but it felt too rushed. A slower ending would have let me absorb everything and feel more connected to the characters and their journey.
Would I recommend it?
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a dark romantic fantasy with great world building and refreshing characters! Maniscalco’s storytelling skills keep surprising me and they have left me excited for more, eagerly anticipating the adventures that await in the realms she creates.
Rating
8/10
Details
- Trigger warnings / Death, blood, murder, kidnapping, attempted sexual assault
- Representation /
- Genre / Fantasy, romance
- Pages / 564
- Publication date / October 3rd, 2023
- Publisher / Little, Brown and Company
- About the author / Kerri Maniscalco is the #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series, the Kingdom of the Wicked series, and her adult fantasy romance Throne of the Fallen, the start of her Prince of Sin series with Throne of Secrets up next.
With love,
heavenlybookish 