Wicked Madness

by Elaia Crowe

Genres: Romance

418 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2026

Reviews

[Kaia Kruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wicked Madness is part of the Tales So Grimm series and is a dark fairy tale romance. This was my first time reading this subgenre, and I initially found it a little difficult to get into; however, once I settled into the story, I ended up really enjoying it.

The story is creative and filled with witty banter between the main characters. I especially appreciated how Elaia used the Collective as a metaphor for the greed, selfishness, and bad behavior we so often see in society today. There are also themes of narcissistic parenting that immediately caught my attention as a therapist, and I enjoyed watching our fierce FMC gradually recognize those unhealthy dynamics and learn to break free from them.

What I loved most was how unpredictable the story felt. I genuinely had no idea where it was heading, and the plot twist near the end completely blindsided me. I was shocked and loved it.

This book was wonderfully executed and a deeper read which kept my interest. In the end, this became a story about hope, redemption, and finding light in even the darkest places. Most of all, it was a beautiful reminder that love can overcome even the greatest of obstacles.

[Casie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars ✨

“Only the purest soul could teach a monster to love."

This was so good. It’s a dark, romantasy beauty and the beast retelling with a twist at the end you won’t see coming. This book pulled me in within the first chapter and I found myself having a hard time putting it down because I needed to know what was going on. Our MFC, Neera, will do anything to save her family and healed her sick baby bother, which is how she finds herself in the middle of a quest to break a curse that has been going on for generations. Zyon, our MMC, is a cruel misunderstood king whose maze of a castle Neera finds herself snowed in at. Lazzus, a god-like being, guides Neera throughout the quest and tells her the story of how his love for a mortal doomed them all and started the curse. It is like a story within the story with lots of clues along the way that will keep you guessing and thinking. This book is highly underrated! I suggest giving it a read, you won’t regret it.

Thank you to the author and Nerd Fam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. If you like a dark romantasy fairy tale retelling you are going to love this one!! I absolutely loved this book I could not put it down and stayed up late reading!! The FMC is a strong one who takes care of her family since her father was murdered!! King Zyon needs help breaking a curse and she is the one that is going to do it if she wants help from the healers to cure her little brother! This book made me laugh and cry! There were plenty of twist and turns that I did not see coming!! This is a standalone book in The Takes So Grim series and I can’t wait to read Wicked Tumble!! Chefs kiss Elaia!!

“Sometime curses refuse to be broken by even the most powerful magic.

Don't cross the red line... Don't look into his eyes... Don't give in to the madness...

Neera returns to her village to help her mother after her father dies and her baby brother is born sick. Everyone in the town knows you don't cross over the red line in the forest, but Neera is left with no choice but to do the forbidden. The dark rumors appear false until the villagers start to descend into madness.”

[Mybookish.odyssey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark romantasy, pulled me in at the first few pages in the book! The world building, magic, and the creative characters; makes this book so appealing. There is no way that you cannot love the FMC Neera; her resiliency is amazing. Then there is Lazzus, who has to be the most morally grey romantic!!
There are necromancies, mages, monsters, forced proximity, lies, deceit, forbidden love, and so much more!
There are so many plot twist and I enjoyed the subtle clues through the story.
This is a great book for that enjoy dark romantasy.
I would like to thank you to NerdFam and Elaia Crowe for this advance reader copy.

[Yoru · Rating 5 out of 5]

So awesome, omg, that twist!!

The book is such a sweet treat for people that love dark fairy tales and villain MMC and (surprise) it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling! 
The fantasy world is set in a medieval society and is quite interesting (there are necromancers, witches, mages, portals, beings from other planets, potions for pretty much everything, monsters like Typhon, dragons, and griffins, special castles, a blood guild, etc.).😍

The plot twist totally got me, and I loved it! There were a lot of little clues everywhere throughout the book, and I KNEW something was coming, but even so, I was flabbergasted, taken by surprise, and it was so good! Still recovering from not seeing it coming, looool I Freaking Loved This Book!

Also, the cover is so cool and pretty! Definitely a must read imo

Warning: there's steamy scenes and dirty language, for the ones that didn't see it was a dark and sexy fairy tale style of book😏

Thank you to the author for the review copy ! (and for The Nerd Fam for playing middle man💜)

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

[Jade. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release date: June 23.

3.5/5

I have mixed feelings about this book.
The MMC was quite a creep at the beginning of the book. He did not give good vibes. But throughout the story, I understood why he was this cruel and possessive. And after some time, I realized that this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, which I love. One of my favorite retellings. The "you will join me for dinner/breakfast", the servants, the good heart of the FMC, the snowball fights, etc.

I did like the flashbacks to the MMC's history, his childhood and how he became the villain.

There were parts where the pace was uneven, or nothing really happened. The book was too long to me. But, I was so glad when the pace finally picked up and more action-packed.

Now, the plot twist... flabbergasted.

Overall, it was a great read and really liked the quest and the magical beasts.

Thank you for the gifted eARC.

[Yesilovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so much to say but not enough words to explain how much I loved this!

This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling.

From the beginning I fell in love with Neera.. She’s a strong FMC who helps take care of her family after her father is murdered. She is summoned by King Zyon who tells her she is to break their curse and help heal her little brother who was born sick and the town from the madness. I loved her determination and her stubbornness. I loved how she loved to aggravate the King and how she didn’t take bs from him. I laughed and teared up while reading this. The plot twist abso-freaking-lutely got me and had me gaspin! Never did I see it coming! This was absolutely amazing and one of Elaia’s best book yet! I loved it!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Read
In this dark, romantasy, fairytale retelling Neera is desperate for medicine to save her brother. After her monster hunting is unsuccessful a series of events leads to being chased an old man’s bordered property. When she returns her entire village has changed and in order to save them all she must go on a journey to break an ancient curse.
It took me a minute to realise there were 2 different timelines and it was a little difficult to get into. Whilst I enjoyed the romance and the history repeating itself vibe, I found it very disjointed and confusing at times. It’s slow paced and I found myself more invested in Lazzus’ POV.
There is some really great moments and plenty of mythical creatures it just couldn’t grip me personally. I really liked how the story ties itself all together.

[Stefanie Verhelst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neera is a fierce young woman who is taking care of her family, her youngest brother is sincerely ill. When she tries to get the necessary needs to secure him a treatment… she tumbles into a dangerous adventure …

Don’t cross the red line… and most of all don’t look into his eyes…

This fantasy dark fairytale retelling is exiting, intriguing, touching and upsetting… it crawls under your skin!

I loved this book from the very first chapter and the ending is sooooo great!!! ☺️

[neeshreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice:🌶️🌶️/5

Do you love a dark fairytale retelling with a twist? How about villainous characters who make you question if they’re actually villains? Now, add in a fierce FMC who has zero filter and doesn’t back down from a challenge? If you’re here for these vibes, then…read this book! The final plot twist had my mind blown 🤯

🖤Dark Fairytale Romantasy Standalone
🥀Beauty & the Beast Vibes
💚Villain MMC & Monsters
✨Magical Curses Plaguing the Kingdom
🖤Enemies to Lovers & Ladynapping
🥀Fierce FMC with Apothecary Knowledge
💚King with Necromancy Magic ☠️
✨Yearning & Obsession
🖤Slow Burn & Snarky Banter

Neera has a knack for all things apothecary, but must return home to help her family after the sudden loss of her father. With an ill baby brother, Neera has no choice but to take whatever jobs she can to get money for his medicine. The aftermath of a job leads her to the red line in the forest, the one you should never cross because you’ll descend into madness. Everything is fine…until it isn’t. Now, Neera is forced to travel to ruthless King Zyon’s castle to confront the monster he says she’s awakened – the monster you can’t look in its eyes. But, a winter storm traps her with the king she despises, and the deal she strikes with a cloaked monster requires her to figure out his biggest regret before spring arrives. Will Neera survive the winter and save those she loves from the madness, or will she succumb to the same fate?

This story checked so many boxes! We have a curse that can’t be broken by powerful magic, a resilient FMC who is snarky AF, morally grey characters that are more than meets the eye, forced proximity between enemies, tension, forbidden love and yearning in the present and past, lots of monsters, and a quest to stop the curse cycle from repeating itself! I was all-in on Neera’s journey and loved her commitment to her family. I was very much anti-king Zyon and trying to get a read on shadow daddy Lazzus, but then…I ate up the tension with the king 🔥 and was dedicated to figuring out Lazzus’s biggest regret *cue heartstrings being pulled for the morally gray man because the past flashbacks had me INVESTED*. AND if you’re able to figure out the final twist before it’s revealed, teach me your ways. I was vibing, then gasping like in “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” 😂

[Lucy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way in which elaia writes is brilliant. She weaves so many mysteries throughout the story and watched them open at the perfect time. The writing is so good it immidiately pulls you into the tale, that gives of a mix of beuty and the beast and hansel and gretal vibes while still being original.

The book is very beautiful with chapter page decals. In a way, this is a book of 2 love stories. Little lazzus and evelia are the cutest, and it was so wholesome and emotional reading their story as they grow.

Neera's character is quite formidable and will not take being a push over, she stands up for herself and what she thinks is right. She's hard working and keeps her head on her shoulders and sights set on her goals.
Zyon is a fractured soul who is very dismissive and egotistical (as is any king who has grown tired of centuries of mundane humans). He grows on you as he becomes more self-aware and protective, and you really start to route for them both. He understands she has a goal and helps build her up enough to achieve it.
The easy insulting banter that they both thrive on is fun and heatwarming and creates so much angst and tension.

This book also contains so many lovable side characters they you get to know as their personalities show as they interact with the main characters.





Quotes ❤️
“Yes, we must have a bedtime story, shouldn’t we?” “As though I am a child.” “No, you are not a child, and adults need them too. That is something I have learned about humans. They love stories even into old age.”

“I have no name.” “I’m going to call you Lazzus. It’s the name of the beast in my favourite storybook. Everyone judges him by how he looks, but he’s very nice. You remind me of him.”

His words distantly infuriate me, and I try to break free from misery to punch him.


Zyon charges toward me. “What are you doing here? In all the colours you can see, can you not see black? Is that the problem?” “The black had stars on it, so I thought it different,” I say. “It was locked!” I look back toward the door. “Oh, was it?”
Love how she infuriates him

“You’re going to be my ruin.” “Only if you allow it.” “It seems I already have.”

[Shanda Laving · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wicked Madness by Elaia Crowe

It took me a little while to get into the story, but once everything started coming together, I was completely invested.

One of my favourite aspects of the book was the storytelling. Rather than simply revealing the history of the curse through exposition, we experience it alongside Neera as Lazzus recounts the events. It added an extra layer of mystery, and I found myself constantly trying to piece together how everything connected.

The biggest surprise for me was the reveal that Zyon and Lazzus are actually the same person, split in two by the curse. I genuinely didn’t see it coming, and it completely recontextualised so many earlier interactions. It was a clever twist that made the story even more enjoyable in hindsight.

Neera was a fun protagonist to follow. I loved that she wasn’t afraid to be a smart ass, even when facing situations that would intimidate most people. Her determination and wit made her easy to root for throughout the story.

The magic system also stood out. It felt unique enough to be interesting while remaining easy to understand, and I especially enjoyed all of the creatures Neera encountered along her journey. They added so much personality and wonder to the world.

The romance develops alongside the mystery, with just enough spice to complement the story without overwhelming it. Both Zyon and Lazzus made for wonderfully morally grey characters, and I may have ended up with two new book boyfriends… before discovering they were technically the same person!

Overall, this was an enjoyable fantasy romance with a fresh premise, an intriguing curse, memorable characters, and a satisfying twist. I’d happily pick up another book by Elaia Crowe.

[Amanda Meyberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars**

This was a beautifully written standalone fantasy romance that completely pulled me in with its love story, magic system, and character development. I especially appreciated that it was a standalone. It told a complete, satisfying story without feeling rushed, which can be hard to find in fantasy romance.

The romance was easily my favorite part of the book. The slow burn felt natural, the yearning was delicious, and the emotional growth between the characters made their relationship feel earned. The character development throughout the story was thoughtful and inspiring, and I found myself genuinely invested in their journey.

One thing that really stood out was the ending. I rarely make it through a fantasy book without predicting at least part of the twist, but Wicked Madness managed to surprise me. The final chapters were emotional, beautiful, and left me feeling incredibly satisfied with how everything came together.

The reason this landed at 4 stars instead of 5 for me comes down to a few personal preferences. I noticed several grammar errors throughout the book, and the writing occasionally felt choppy because many of the sentences were very short. While there were some Beauty and the Beast-inspired elements woven into the story, those weren’t my favorite parts. I also wasn’t particularly drawn to the skeleton-like characters with animal heads, though that’s entirely a matter of personal taste.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, easy-to-read fantasy romance with a beautiful love story, a fascinating magic system, and an ending that made me so glad I picked it up.

Thank you for the gifted ARC.

[Amanda N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Nerd Fam for this Advanced Readers Copy of Wicked Madness by Elaia Crowe. This tale from the Tales So Grim series is an enemies‑to‑lovers romance set against the backdrop of a deadly curse our characters must work together to break.
The story opens with a monster hunt gone wrong for our FMC, Neera. She's a hardworking, sharp‑tongued heroine doing everything she can to support her sisters and mother while they fight to keep her sick brother alive. Her desperation for his medicine leads to one reckless decision, and that single moment triggers a centuries‑old curse that transforms her entire village, including her family, into zombie‑like monsters.
With the help of a wraith named Lazzus, time freezes around the cursed village, giving Neera a window of time to train and prepare for a dangerous climb up the mountain where the curse can be broken. The twist is she’s trapped during this time with King Zyon, a selfish necromancer who becomes her reluctant companion and who initially has zero faith in her ability to break the curse.
There are so many twists, turns, and standout characters woven throughout this story. Neera herself is hilarious, stubborn, and entertaining. Her dynamic with King Zyon is awkward but unexpectedly charming. And the story within the story? Lazzus’s role in the curse is just as intriguing as the main plot, and the way everything ties together is incredibly satisfying.
Overall, Wicked Madness delivers a delightfully off‑the‑rails romance wrapped inside an engaging curse‑breaking adventure. It’s fun, twisty, and full of heart.

[Nicola Reynoldson (nics_timetoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I want to thank the Nerd Fam for gifting me this ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 stars

Wicked Madness is a fantastic standalone novel in Elaia Crowe’s Tales So Grim series, weaving together a dark fairytale retelling filled with yearning, mystery, ancient curses, and a love that spans centuries.

Neera returns to her village to care for her family. A skilled hunter, she makes the one forbidden mistake during an outing—crossing the red line in the forest. Her single choice sets off the villagers’ descent into madness.

Soon she receives a message from the ruthless King Zion, ordering her to travel north and face the monster he believes she has unleashed. But when a fierce blizzard traps her in his castle until spring, her journey takes an unexpected turn.

During the storm, Neera strikes a dangerous bargain with a mysterious hooded stranger. If she can uncover his greatest regret, she will receive a prize. If she fails, she’ll lose everyone she loves.

Told across two timelines, both full of mystery and heartbreak, the story slowly unravels the truth behind the curse. I loved piecing everything together alongside the characters, and the twists kept me guessing right until the end.

With a unique concept, beautiful writing, and an intriguing mystery, Wicked Madness is a captivating dark fantasy that blends fairytale magic with emotional depth. Overall it was an engrossing read that I’d happily recommend to fans of dark fairytale retellings.

[Brianna Farnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

Man oh man, where do I even start? The characters in this book were amazing and complex. Neera is an absolute badass. She’s intelligent, witty, and not afraid to speak her mind. I immediately liked her and was rooting for her success the whole time. Zyon is such an angry turd for a lot of it that I found him hard to like but once he cracks and some of his goodness starts to come through I was down bad. I was most drawn to Lazzus because he’s just a mopey, emotional soft boy and I loved his storyline.

Also, the mystery of it all just pulled me in. Why is there a curse? What did Zyon do? Is this a true love thing? Why does this poor girl have to suffer to break this curse? I had so many questions and theories swirling around in my head and I got so hooked I finished like 80% of it in one day, the only reason I stopped was because I was too tired to keep reading after 1am 😂 There was a lot at the end that I didn’t anticipate or see coming at all, I feel like a lot of that comes from Beuaty and the Beast being such a well known story that Elaia almost expects you to fall into the trap of thinking you know what’s coming next only to fool you with a twist. I felt like this was a really unique fairytale retelling, Elaia takes the components of Beauty and the Beast and weaves them into a unique, mysterious, dark, and compelling masterpiece.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wicked Madness was such a wonderful surprise. It blends dark fantasy, romance, curses, monsters, and mystery into a story that kept me engaged from beginning to end.
Neera is a heroine who is easy to root for. Her determination to save her family drives the story, even when every choice comes with a cost. I also appreciated that the characters weren't simply heroes or villains. As their stories unfolded, they became much more layered, and I found myself understanding motivations that weren't obvious at first.
One of my favorite parts of the book was how the flashback chapters were woven into the story. They never felt like interruptions. Each one revealed another piece of the puzzle, adding depth to the characters while slowly building toward the bigger picture. I found myself looking forward to every glimpse into the past.
The twists were handled really well. I kept trying to figure out where the story was going, and while there were clues along the way, I never saw the full picture until the very end. Looking back, everything fit together perfectly. That made the final reveal and the ending all the more satisfying.
This is the kind of story that rewards readers who pay attention to the details, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching every piece fall into place.

[Addie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books like this is exactly why I love reading fantasy as a genre.

Fantasy should have unique stories and not just a copy paste of previously best-selling books and this is a great example of that. The world, the characters, and the concept, everything in this book was so unique and beautiful. It was so well thought out and crafted and you can easily tell this by the reading it once!

As I was going through the story, I was wondering how the author is going to bring this to an end in the way it's not disappointing and keep up to the bar established by the rest of the book and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I didn't even expect that ending because maybe I was assuming it was going to be just like other books but the final revelation was very, very, very well executed.

The book goes back and forth so beautifully and seamlessly and I enjoyed both the POVs so much! The author made me fall in love with all the characters so easily, I hadn't realized. I was so into the book that I just couldn't put it down even though I don't usually like very long books or chapters but this was justifiably long as a standalone and I just don't have any more words for it.

It's one of my favorite reads of this year and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

[scribsbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neera has been taking care of her family after the passing of her father and the family has struggled especially since her baby brother had been born sick. Despite all of her best efforts, it just quite isn’t enough. When a competition forces her to lose the prize that could help her family, Neera takes matters into her own hands, except it means doing what has always been forbidden…whether by accident or on purpose, Neera crosses the mysterious red line that everyone knows not to cross. There’s no going back and once she does this what happens next cannot be stopped.

I am so in love with this dark fairy tale romantasy retelling. Elaia Crowe takes a tale as old as time and somehow makes it new and very enchanting. It has the elements that make the fairy tale recognizable but it also has the darker elements that make it more grown up. It’s both a creative twist but also one that makes a lot of sense and just works. In terms of it being “dark,” I did have some reservations at first but those quickly dissipated because while it touched on darker topics, it didn’t really stray too far into those realms. Wicked Madness just works so well and I really hope more people take a look!

Thank you so much to Elaia Crowe for the gifted ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Norahsbookworld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Wicked Madness
Author: Elaia Crowe

Releasing: June 23, 2026

Thank you to The NerdFam and the author for this amazing ARC.

5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I do not even have enough words to explain how much I loved this book. I am a sucker for a good Beauty and the Beast retelling, and this one did not disappoint. This dark fantasy romance completely pulled me in from the very beginning.

Neera was such a strong FMC, and I loved watching her fight for her family while refusing to lose herself along the way. The slow-burn romance, emotional growth, and character development made every moment feel earned.

Wicked Madness, a standalone in the Tales So Grim series, blends dark fairytale elements with hidden truths, aching yearning, and an atmosphere that feels hauntingly beautiful. Told across two intertwined stories and timelines, the journey is equally captivating and heartbreaking.

Minor spoilers: I truly did not see that twist coming. The final chapters surprised me and left me emotional in the best way.

If you love fairytale retellings, curses, mysteries, strong FMCs, and fantasy romance with heart, add this one to your TBR immediately.

[Tonje Lien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible imagination was the word I had in mind while reading this book!

It's a standalone in the The Takes So Grim series and a dark romantasy.

Don't cross the red line
Don't look into his eyes
Don't give into the madness

Neera has a sick little brother and her mom is not all there after her father dies. She is left fending for them all but her main goal is to get medicine for her sick brother and find him something to make him better.

In a series of events she doesn't have any choice but to cross that very line that's forbidden. And she awakens the madness. She doesn't believe it until the people in the village descend into madness before her very eyes.

She is taken to King Zyon to help break the curse she set into motion.

The plot in this is incredible. It's a beauty and the beast kinda vibe but it's still very much not the same!

Zyon and Neera, the main characters, are so good.
The side characters, I'm not going to say anything about them but they are awesome and the imagination here is so cool and well thought out.

Thank you Elaia for the eARC of this!


She's taken to the king

[her nose stuck ina book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Wicked Madness
Author: Elaia Crowe
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

✨📚 ARC Review 📚 ✨

Thank you to @elaiacrowe and The Nerd Fam @thenerdfam for the gifted book!

Wicked Madness is a standalone romantasy, but part of the 'Tales So Grim' series by @elaiacrowe.

I love a well-done Beauty and the Beast re-telling! This one took elements of a classic and used them to create something unique, dark, and mysterious. I couldn't put this down and ended up finishing in almost one sitting....the clock was well after 1am 🫣 But it was worth the lack of sleep, I was so engaged with finding out where the story was going!

Be prepared for a cursed kingdom, monsters, a mystery that unfolds as you get pieces of tales in dual POVs and dual timelines! The banter is bantering in this one - chef's kiss 👌

Neera is the perfect blend of being competent in many areas and needing to develop certain skills to try to successfully break a mysterious curse on the kingdom. I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The author does a great job making sure you truly feel the initial loathing and making the shift gradual enough to be believable once you start to get the character development.

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wicked Madness is a standalone dark fairy tale romantasy with monsters, curses, beauty and the beast vibes, mystery, and a villain MMC. This was such a great read, and I breezed through it within a day. I’ve always loved Elaia’s writing, and this one is no exception. The story pulls you in and it has such a creative spin. I love the dual timeline and the dual POV. It makes it so much more layered and beautifully complex. The story telling within almost reminds me a little of The NeverEnding Story. Does this date me too much? The characters are written well and complex in their own ways, each having their own agenda. The banter was great, and I loved the mystery and trying to unravel the curse. Overall, I really loved this book and the adventure it took me on.

If you love dark romantasy, fairy tale retellings, monsters, magic, curses, enemies to lovers, a villain MMC, kidnapping, yearning and obsession, and standalones then I recommend checking this one out.

[Belinda Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wicked Madness had all the elements I love—dark fairytale vibes, a cursed forest, and a mysterious king—but it didn’t fully hold my attention.

Neera’s journey to save her brother leads her into a cursed world tied to King Zyon and an ancient mystery. The premise was strong, and the atmosphere was beautifully written, with eerie forests and a haunting castle setting.

However, the story felt disjointed at times, especially with the dual timelines, which made it harder to stay fully immersed. While I liked Neera’s strength and devotion to her family, I never felt deeply connected to the romance or overall plot.

The mystery kept me curious, but the pacing and emotional impact didn’t quite land for me.

Still, fans of dark fairytale romantasy with curses and atmospheric settings may enjoy this more than I did.

✨ Tropes & Vibes:
🌲 Cursed forest
👑 Mysterious king
🖤 Dark fairytale atmosphere
🔮 Ancient magic & secrets
⏳ Dual timelines
💔 Emotional stakes & family devotion

💜 Thank you to Elaia Crowe and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity.

[Cin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Thank you to the NerdFam for the ARC!

Wicked Madness is a dark fairy tale romance that definitely gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes.

There were a few moments where I felt like the story didn't flow as smoothly as I would have liked, but it wasn't enough to take away from my overall enjoyment.

The FMC was fierce, snarky, and genuinely funny. I really enjoyed her character, minus her obsession with wanting the king to sleep with her after initially chastising him for not being romantic enough. It felt a little hypocritical to me.

The MMC, on the other hand, had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. The banter between him and Elaia was easily one of my favorite parts of the book.

My favorite exchange between them was:

"You turned my rival and his friends into skeletal animals! That's not romantic."

"How are you not swooning over this?" 😂

Overall, this was definitely a vibes kind of read. And since it's a standalone, that's another green check in my book!

[eclecticbychoicereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elaia has woven a dark fairytale retelling and adorned it with desperate yearning, curses, and mysteries. Her Wicked Madness, a standalone novel in her Tales So Grim series, taunts with its secrets and lures you in with its hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. It follows two tales and two timelines, both eerily stunning and eerily tragic.

For is there a tragedy bigger than the loss of everything you hold most dear?

At the root of it all lies something deeper: love, devotion, a purpose to exist. It may differ from person to person, but still, everyone needs a purpose, a light to guide them forward. And everyone in this story searches for one.

Will they find what they're looking for? Well, you'll just have to read Wicked Madness and find out.

Thank you, Elaia, for having me on your ARC team and for sharing these exquisite stories with me.

[Jeannie Storm Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thought out!! This is a beauty and the beast Retelling but also sooo much more! So much detail to engross you into this magical cursed kindgom with witches, necromancers, so many magical creatures ive never even thought of, and a tale of love that will break your heart! A strong willed Fmc that will not take crap from anyone. Even a king! She triggers the chance to break the curse and save her family and little brother who is sick. Stuck in a castle with a cruel king, and a sometimes disappearing hooded storyteller filling her in with secrets from the past. It was so beautifully done. It broke my heart multiple times! There is a duel timeline that lures you into a sense that l you will get some answers then flips back and changes everything. The ups and downs were drastic but so full of details, I'm amazed how everything fit together and all made so much sense!!

[Valarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC.

Wicked Madness offers a dark, atmospheric take on a classic fairytale inspired romance. The writing is immersive, and I appreciated the mood and tension woven throughout the story. Fans of Beauty and the Beast retellings and darker romantasy will likely find a lot to enjoy here.

The character dynamics were compelling, and I especially enjoyed the sense of mystery surrounding the story’s central relationships. The world felt rich and intriguing, with enough twists and intrigue to keep me turning the pages.

While this wasn’t quite my usual reading style, I can absolutely see why it has resonated with other readers. If you enjoy atmospheric romantasy, fairytale retellings, and emotionally charged character interactions, this is one worth checking out.

[Victora Nightling · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you Elaia for the chance to read another amazing book of yours.
this did not disappoint, if anything I was completely spellbound by the story.
I fell in love with the characters, the more you read the more you uncovered.
also, the world was enchanting.
it was hard to put this book down when each page kept teasing me more and more.
I can't stop bragging about it because the book is seriously this good, being an immersive reader really does whisk you away to a whole other world.
it isn't just words on paper but an adventure of the unknown.
I fell in love with the story from the very first page, it is a wonderful and deadly adventure with high stakes and mystery's waiting to be unfolded.

[Claire Johns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wicked Madness is a dark fairy spilt between centuries but tied together by a curse and filled with monsters to overcome. The magic interspersed along the way between apothecary medicine and magical medicine was a new take on this that I’d not read before.
The amount of monster species in this book is astounding and a bit reminiscent of Hagrid’s vast knowledge of them from Harry Potter. Seemingly the author took inspiration from a lot of fairy tales and some scene are very nostalgic to Beauty and the Beast and retold in a darker more adult way. This was an interesting read and if you like monsters, magic, curses, and yearning this might be for you! Thank you to Nerd Fam and the author for sharing this story with me.