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How We Became Wicked
A plague, called Wicked, is pulsing through the world; and in its wake, it’s dividing the population into thirds:
The WICKED: Already infected by the droves of Singers, the ultraviolet mosquito-like insects who carry the plague, the Wicked roam the world freely. They don’t want for much—only to maim and dismember you. But don’t worry: They always ask politely first.
The TRUE: The True live in contained, isolated communities. They’re the lucky ones; they found safety from the Singers. And while the threat of the Wicked may not be eliminated, for the True, the threat has certainly been contained…
The VEXED: The Vexed are the truly fortunate ones—they survived the sting of the Singers, leaving them immune. But they’re far from safe. The Vexed hold the key to a cure, and there are those who will do anything to get it.
The WICKED: Already infected by the droves of Singers, the ultraviolet mosquito-like insects who carry the plague, the Wicked roam the world freely. They don’t want for much—only to maim and dismember you. But don’t worry: They always ask politely first.
The TRUE: The True live in contained, isolated communities. They’re the lucky ones; they found safety from the Singers. And while the threat of the Wicked may not be eliminated, for the True, the threat has certainly been contained…
The VEXED: The Vexed are the truly fortunate ones—they survived the sting of the Singers, leaving them immune. But they’re far from safe. The Vexed hold the key to a cure, and there are those who will do anything to get it.
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2019
59 people are currently reading
4700 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Yates
8 books155 followersAlexander Yates grew up in Haiti, Mexico and Bolivia. He graduated high school in the Philippines, where he later returned to work as a contractor in the US Embassy. He holds an MFA from Syracuse University, where he edited the literary journal Salt Hill and won Joyce Carol Oates awards in fiction and poetry. His fiction and reviews have appeared in Salon, American Fiction, Fivechapters.com and the Kenyon Review Online. He currently lives in Vietnam.
If you'd like to contact Alex, the best way to do so is on insta or twitter, where is can be found at @theotheryates
If you'd like to contact Alex, the best way to do so is on insta or twitter, where is can be found at @theotheryates
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
July 24, 2019
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight .
I have no idea how this book isn't on all the radars, but it isn't. And that's a complete shame, because it is phenomenal. The kind of book I flew through reading, but was also sad cause I never wanted it to end. You know the kind. So let us chat about why I am such a fan, yeah? Though I am purposely keeping this short, because it's best to go into this knowing as little as possible, like I did!
• Incredible atmosphere! It fit perfectly with the vibe and tone of the story, and made me feel like I was on this secluded island. Think Sawkill Girls meets the apocalypse. Good stuff.
• I cared about the characters immediately. And never stopped. There are two main POV characters, and I adored them both. I also enjoyed learning about their families, and in some cases, the other people around them. This is so wonderfully vague that I am probably confusing more than helping at this point, but just trust that there will be characters you love, characters you hate, and characters so gleefully gray you won't be able to decide.
• The layers that unravel and the twists that unfurl... simply delicious. Wow I love a twist. And this book just keeps them coming! It's like a layer is peeled back, we learn something about the characters or world, but then we get new questions. Remember what I said about not being able to put it down? Yeah, that.
• Everything about the book feels very fresh. The world itself, the plot, how everything turns out... it just feels new. Like nothing I've ever read before. Sure, there are bits here and there that you can compare to other books, obviously, but as a whole it's an incredibly unique story that captivated me from the start.
Bottom Line: Eerily atmospheric, genre-bending, and wholly unputdownable, How We Became Wicked is one of the best books of 2019.
I have no idea how this book isn't on all the radars, but it isn't. And that's a complete shame, because it is phenomenal. The kind of book I flew through reading, but was also sad cause I never wanted it to end. You know the kind. So let us chat about why I am such a fan, yeah? Though I am purposely keeping this short, because it's best to go into this knowing as little as possible, like I did!
• Incredible atmosphere! It fit perfectly with the vibe and tone of the story, and made me feel like I was on this secluded island. Think Sawkill Girls meets the apocalypse. Good stuff.
• I cared about the characters immediately. And never stopped. There are two main POV characters, and I adored them both. I also enjoyed learning about their families, and in some cases, the other people around them. This is so wonderfully vague that I am probably confusing more than helping at this point, but just trust that there will be characters you love, characters you hate, and characters so gleefully gray you won't be able to decide.
• The layers that unravel and the twists that unfurl... simply delicious. Wow I love a twist. And this book just keeps them coming! It's like a layer is peeled back, we learn something about the characters or world, but then we get new questions. Remember what I said about not being able to put it down? Yeah, that.
• Everything about the book feels very fresh. The world itself, the plot, how everything turns out... it just feels new. Like nothing I've ever read before. Sure, there are bits here and there that you can compare to other books, obviously, but as a whole it's an incredibly unique story that captivated me from the start.
Bottom Line: Eerily atmospheric, genre-bending, and wholly unputdownable, How We Became Wicked is one of the best books of 2019.
May 3, 2020
This book seriously needs some more recognition! I can’t believe it isn’t more well known, it’s so good. The plot and premise is great, it was such easy and entertaining listening, I loved it!
As the plot thickened and continued, I couldn’t put it down and rattled through it in a few days. Seriously recommend reading this book if you get the chance.
As the plot thickened and continued, I couldn’t put it down and rattled through it in a few days. Seriously recommend reading this book if you get the chance.
July 31, 2022
Okay, this was phenomenal. SUCH a unique concept; I was hooked from the start. The storytelling was all very natural, and it flowed so well. The pacing was perfect—there were no lulls in this book. I loved how each part was told back and forth from different POVs, coming together so seamlessly in the end. And don’t even get me STARTED on the plot twist. I had to do a triple-take. Brilliant!
Natalie is 100% my girl, I resonated with her character so much. And crazy ole grandpa had me cracking up as much as he creeped me out. I can’t get over this, I will probably think about this book for several days/weeks to come. Such a quick and un-put-downable read. I highly recommend to literally everyone!!!
Natalie is 100% my girl, I resonated with her character so much. And crazy ole grandpa had me cracking up as much as he creeped me out. I can’t get over this, I will probably think about this book for several days/weeks to come. Such a quick and un-put-downable read. I highly recommend to literally everyone!!!
January 28, 2026
I've been reading some really solid Dystopian stories this year, and How We Became Wicked is no exception. Telling the story of two girls, one living in a small enclosed town away from the outside infected, and one living on a small island with her mother, infected Grandfather and soon to be baby sibling.
This has some truly clever twists and turns, and I thought that the title was an incredibly clever play on words. There's also a plot twist which I almost started working out before it was revealed, but the reveal was really satisfying, and made the story much more memorable for me.
This has some truly clever twists and turns, and I thought that the title was an incredibly clever play on words. There's also a plot twist which I almost started working out before it was revealed, but the reveal was really satisfying, and made the story much more memorable for me.
October 3, 2019
'There was no word more fit for the sick than that: the wicked. They had torn the world, and everyone in it, to tatters.'
This is one of the unexpected books that swoops in to take you by surprise. I had no idea just how good this book would be . . . because I only vaguely knew of its existence. WHERE IS THE HYPE FOR THIS QUIETLY HORRIFIC EXCELLENCE?? It's the type of slow, gradual intrigue that you can't put down and while I was a bit confused at first, things began to make sense. And of course that TWIST came at me sideways and made me sit in gleeful shock for a few minutes as all the pieces suddenly made sense. This deserves more people reading and talking about it, okay.
'There were different pitches—looping and dipping, knotting and untangling. A rich harmony of hums. This was the sound of singers, thick in their summer swarms. This was the song that had ruined the world. Still, no one could tell Astrid it wasn’t beautiful.'
I really love books set in a world trying to survive after some apocalyptic, disastrous change. I love reading about a world that is perfectly normal to the characters and yet so abnormal to the readers because that juxtaposition just really tickles my brain the right way. And this is one of those books that does the world-building right; not too much, not too little . . . except regarding the Singers BUT that's also, methinks, done purposely. Some things are never truly explained, and it just felt like an acceptable fact in this book, once again kudos to the good writing.
'The coin had a picture of a bearded man on one side and a picture of a house with columns on the other. It was called a penny. It used to be worth very little, and today it was worth even less. She had loads of them.'
Excellent world-building aside, the characters were another powerful strength of this book . . . but they were also the biggest weak point, too. Now I loved the dual-POV of Astrid and Natalie (although more than a few times I would have perhaps like more frequent shifts because long times in one POV made the shift back seem a bit abrupt) and the multitude of side characters were written in a way that didn't make them all seem like cloned versions of one person with slightly different quirks and names to "make them different". However, sometimes I felt a bit distant from the MC's, primarily Astrid. I think I liked Natalie's POV better because the interactions between her family and their Wicked grandfather were so fascinating. And of course the eventual, unexpected plot twist reveal about the characters and the POV was superb.
'It was one of the many perplexing symptoms of the wickedness—an inability to imagine, even at the most basic level, what another person might be thinking or feeling. A total collapse of empathy—which is itself an act of imagination.'
Now please bear with me as I get a bit meta here with some thoughts about the overall theme/world of the book . . but I couldn't help but notice the ideas presented inside the apocalyptic horror story here about the different kinds of wickedness. Was it actually a terrible disease that destroyed the world, or was it terrible actions that enabled the disease? Would the survivors have been a higher number if certain things had happened or been prevented? Since it's been a few days since I finished book AND I chose to focus more on the plot than all the intricate details, this section of the review is gonna be the most muddled BUT it's these kind of things that really added to the serene creepiness of the atmosphere and was one the aspects I loved the most.
'Her grandfather’s smile and his open, airy demeanor didn’t change a bit as he said these words. To him, promises of violence came as naturally, as irresistibly as his own heartbeat.'
The actual virus itself, one of the most obvious horror elements of the story, was quite unique. I originally thought it was going to be a more zombie-like thing, but the actuality was even better. People become innocent-minded murder machines capable of complex action but driven by simple desires . . . like a five-year-old bent on obtaining snacks but easily distracted by something they find more desirable. It's not a physically ravaging disease here, but it is a destructive one and also highly contagious. And the fact that the victims could talk and think only added to the creeptastic element, as well as brought about some heart-touching moments.
NOW I GOTTA SHRIEK A MOMENT ABOUT THAT PLOT TWIST OKAY????
Honestly, I didn't expect to be happily shocked by this book. The way the perspectives are written purposely to mislead you was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and I'm still blown away by the execution of said twist. It's the kind of thing that I'm probably going to have to do a recent re-read to fully soak up the epic foreshadowing and chortle in satisfaction over good plot twists.
'Book, I need you to believe me when I tell you this. I am NOT going to get tired. My family is out there somewhere. And I’m going to find them. I don’t care if I have to walk for a million years. I’m going to find them. It’ll be so great when I do! Do you know why I think it’ll be great, book? It’s because I love them.'
Overall, this was such a great book. I would have loved it absolutely if there had been a few more things (mostly a teeny tiny bit more explanations about stuff and a better foundation for the only mentioned relationship in the book) and some more character development. And while the plot was hands-down the absolute best and strongest aspect of this book, the odd shifts in POV made the pacing feel a bit odd. But I still loved this so much!! There's a lot to hype up about it, such as the excellent creep factor and atmosphere, the unique world, and the undeniable hold this book had over me from the first page. So I do recommend this to dystopian and horror fans alike, especially if you're looking for something new and refreshing out of the mix of same-old plots and characters. And finally, I would greatly appreciate a sequel for many reasons the top of which is desperate curiosity.
This is one of the unexpected books that swoops in to take you by surprise. I had no idea just how good this book would be . . . because I only vaguely knew of its existence. WHERE IS THE HYPE FOR THIS QUIETLY HORRIFIC EXCELLENCE?? It's the type of slow, gradual intrigue that you can't put down and while I was a bit confused at first, things began to make sense. And of course that TWIST came at me sideways and made me sit in gleeful shock for a few minutes as all the pieces suddenly made sense. This deserves more people reading and talking about it, okay.
'There were different pitches—looping and dipping, knotting and untangling. A rich harmony of hums. This was the sound of singers, thick in their summer swarms. This was the song that had ruined the world. Still, no one could tell Astrid it wasn’t beautiful.'
I really love books set in a world trying to survive after some apocalyptic, disastrous change. I love reading about a world that is perfectly normal to the characters and yet so abnormal to the readers because that juxtaposition just really tickles my brain the right way. And this is one of those books that does the world-building right; not too much, not too little . . . except regarding the Singers BUT that's also, methinks, done purposely. Some things are never truly explained, and it just felt like an acceptable fact in this book, once again kudos to the good writing.
'The coin had a picture of a bearded man on one side and a picture of a house with columns on the other. It was called a penny. It used to be worth very little, and today it was worth even less. She had loads of them.'
Excellent world-building aside, the characters were another powerful strength of this book . . . but they were also the biggest weak point, too. Now I loved the dual-POV of Astrid and Natalie (although more than a few times I would have perhaps like more frequent shifts because long times in one POV made the shift back seem a bit abrupt) and the multitude of side characters were written in a way that didn't make them all seem like cloned versions of one person with slightly different quirks and names to "make them different". However, sometimes I felt a bit distant from the MC's, primarily Astrid. I think I liked Natalie's POV better because the interactions between her family and their Wicked grandfather were so fascinating. And of course the eventual, unexpected plot twist reveal about the characters and the POV was superb.
'It was one of the many perplexing symptoms of the wickedness—an inability to imagine, even at the most basic level, what another person might be thinking or feeling. A total collapse of empathy—which is itself an act of imagination.'
Now please bear with me as I get a bit meta here with some thoughts about the overall theme/world of the book . . but I couldn't help but notice the ideas presented inside the apocalyptic horror story here about the different kinds of wickedness. Was it actually a terrible disease that destroyed the world, or was it terrible actions that enabled the disease? Would the survivors have been a higher number if certain things had happened or been prevented? Since it's been a few days since I finished book AND I chose to focus more on the plot than all the intricate details, this section of the review is gonna be the most muddled BUT it's these kind of things that really added to the serene creepiness of the atmosphere and was one the aspects I loved the most.
'Her grandfather’s smile and his open, airy demeanor didn’t change a bit as he said these words. To him, promises of violence came as naturally, as irresistibly as his own heartbeat.'
The actual virus itself, one of the most obvious horror elements of the story, was quite unique. I originally thought it was going to be a more zombie-like thing, but the actuality was even better. People become innocent-minded murder machines capable of complex action but driven by simple desires . . . like a five-year-old bent on obtaining snacks but easily distracted by something they find more desirable. It's not a physically ravaging disease here, but it is a destructive one and also highly contagious. And the fact that the victims could talk and think only added to the creeptastic element, as well as brought about some heart-touching moments.
NOW I GOTTA SHRIEK A MOMENT ABOUT THAT PLOT TWIST OKAY????
Honestly, I didn't expect to be happily shocked by this book. The way the perspectives are written purposely to mislead you was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and I'm still blown away by the execution of said twist. It's the kind of thing that I'm probably going to have to do a recent re-read to fully soak up the epic foreshadowing and chortle in satisfaction over good plot twists.
'Book, I need you to believe me when I tell you this. I am NOT going to get tired. My family is out there somewhere. And I’m going to find them. I don’t care if I have to walk for a million years. I’m going to find them. It’ll be so great when I do! Do you know why I think it’ll be great, book? It’s because I love them.'
Overall, this was such a great book. I would have loved it absolutely if there had been a few more things (mostly a teeny tiny bit more explanations about stuff and a better foundation for the only mentioned relationship in the book) and some more character development. And while the plot was hands-down the absolute best and strongest aspect of this book, the odd shifts in POV made the pacing feel a bit odd. But I still loved this so much!! There's a lot to hype up about it, such as the excellent creep factor and atmosphere, the unique world, and the undeniable hold this book had over me from the first page. So I do recommend this to dystopian and horror fans alike, especially if you're looking for something new and refreshing out of the mix of same-old plots and characters. And finally, I would greatly appreciate a sequel for many reasons the top of which is desperate curiosity.
September 30, 2019
I enjoyed that more than I was expecting to. While I love a good dystopian setting, the YA genre generally doesn't do much for me which is probably why my expectations were quite low. And to be honest, the moody overreactions did annoy me on several occasions and the endless monologuing got a bit much at times. However, there were enough mystery elements and suspense to keep me interested throughout, so It's fair to say that while it had its issues, it was a fun ride regardless.
The world-building was quite good with a nice balance of information about the (very silly sounding) virus and its effects on the world. Just like the characters, we didn't know everything that happened, but we knew enough to enjoy the story. In terms of creativity, I liked how the virus affected people and the consequences on the world because of it, but there were a tad too many inconsistencies for my liking. Things like how the virus started and spread didn't line up and the seemingly random mutations that they created in people were a bit far fetched. With all that vagueness also came the issue of the infected people acting exactly the way the author needed them to act in certain scenes.
As for the characters, they were alright. There were 2 main pov characters and both were your typical, angsty teenage archetypes. It's pretty much what you'd expect from a YA book and to be honest, I wasn't ever really worried about them, nor did I particularly care anyway. That's not to say they were bad or poorly written. They were perfectly fine for the book which was very much story-driven. The rest of the cast was decent as well with some outliers that I didn't buy, but which worked for the story nonetheless.
I liked the concept of how the infected people were affected mentally and the subsequent interactions with them. The setting was also well thought out, although it did seem a little too convenient for certain scenes. So overall, the writing was decent and for the genre and target audience, I'd even argue it was spot on. Unfortunately, the number of smaller issues did tally up for me towards the end.
So if you're a fan of the YA genre, I'd definitely recommend this. The dystopian elements are nicely executed and the story has enough mystery and tension to also appeal to people who like that in their stories. It has its faults, but if you can get into the story as I did, they're not that distracting.
The world-building was quite good with a nice balance of information about the (very silly sounding) virus and its effects on the world. Just like the characters, we didn't know everything that happened, but we knew enough to enjoy the story. In terms of creativity, I liked how the virus affected people and the consequences on the world because of it, but there were a tad too many inconsistencies for my liking. Things like how the virus started and spread didn't line up and the seemingly random mutations that they created in people were a bit far fetched. With all that vagueness also came the issue of the infected people acting exactly the way the author needed them to act in certain scenes.
As for the characters, they were alright. There were 2 main pov characters and both were your typical, angsty teenage archetypes. It's pretty much what you'd expect from a YA book and to be honest, I wasn't ever really worried about them, nor did I particularly care anyway. That's not to say they were bad or poorly written. They were perfectly fine for the book which was very much story-driven. The rest of the cast was decent as well with some outliers that I didn't buy, but which worked for the story nonetheless.
I liked the concept of how the infected people were affected mentally and the subsequent interactions with them. The setting was also well thought out, although it did seem a little too convenient for certain scenes. So overall, the writing was decent and for the genre and target audience, I'd even argue it was spot on. Unfortunately, the number of smaller issues did tally up for me towards the end.
So if you're a fan of the YA genre, I'd definitely recommend this. The dystopian elements are nicely executed and the story has enough mystery and tension to also appeal to people who like that in their stories. It has its faults, but if you can get into the story as I did, they're not that distracting.
April 17, 2019
Nothing makes me happier than a book I’m not sure about being one of my favorites of the year and this book is exactly that.
“How We Became Wicked” draws us into a world where The Wicked spend their time gleefully hunting those who have yet to be infected trying their best to kill everyone they can when Astrid and Hank find themselves face to face with someone new just behind the wall who speaks of life on a nearby island but when things take a turn the two are faced with a choice, to abandon everything they’ve ever known or to stay and watch it all burn.
This book had probably one of my favorite twists in a story of this nature and though I can’t speak to what it was, for obvious reasons, it actually made me gasp out loud when I caught on to what was happening so bravo to the author for that.
Astrid and Natalie were two young women who have known nothing but this world of death and the Wicked and they both managed to rise to the occasion and survive even when the odds were stacked against them and I loved each step in their journey. Hank was touch and go but I think he is an important piece in their puzzle as both his presence and absence in certain scenes brings out some of the strongest qualities in both of these characters so for that I have to appreciate him but it doesn’t absolve him.
The Wicked themselves and the way they spoke of their plans was borderline comical but in that way where you’re laughing but inside there’s this unsettling weight in your stomach. The overall story arc was something that we’re all familiar with as it has happened time and time again with everything from diseases and social injustices and that paint a smile on it lack of remorse was also something we also unfortunately see to the point that you almost find yourself thinking like the Wicked waiting for it all to crash and burn and when it does you can’t help but smile as karma is served.
If you’re looking for something with a bit of a similar setup like ‘Bird Box’ this is perfect for you but all in all this was a great read and I can’t wait for everyone else to get a chance to read it too!
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
“How We Became Wicked” draws us into a world where The Wicked spend their time gleefully hunting those who have yet to be infected trying their best to kill everyone they can when Astrid and Hank find themselves face to face with someone new just behind the wall who speaks of life on a nearby island but when things take a turn the two are faced with a choice, to abandon everything they’ve ever known or to stay and watch it all burn.
This book had probably one of my favorite twists in a story of this nature and though I can’t speak to what it was, for obvious reasons, it actually made me gasp out loud when I caught on to what was happening so bravo to the author for that.
Astrid and Natalie were two young women who have known nothing but this world of death and the Wicked and they both managed to rise to the occasion and survive even when the odds were stacked against them and I loved each step in their journey. Hank was touch and go but I think he is an important piece in their puzzle as both his presence and absence in certain scenes brings out some of the strongest qualities in both of these characters so for that I have to appreciate him but it doesn’t absolve him.
The Wicked themselves and the way they spoke of their plans was borderline comical but in that way where you’re laughing but inside there’s this unsettling weight in your stomach. The overall story arc was something that we’re all familiar with as it has happened time and time again with everything from diseases and social injustices and that paint a smile on it lack of remorse was also something we also unfortunately see to the point that you almost find yourself thinking like the Wicked waiting for it all to crash and burn and when it does you can’t help but smile as karma is served.
If you’re looking for something with a bit of a similar setup like ‘Bird Box’ this is perfect for you but all in all this was a great read and I can’t wait for everyone else to get a chance to read it too!
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
August 22, 2019
I am enthralled with this book and could not put it down! I'm going to start with four stars but I might be bumping it up as I ponder more. The general story arc is not that different from other post-apocalyptic stories but the details are unique and chilling. Of course the ever-present threat from the singers, insects that infect people, is real, but the real eeriness comes from the Wicked with their innocent musings of bashing your skull in or seeing you without your skin. The horror is all so perfectly understated that it is amplified all the more. The pace is great and I liked how each section was long enough to give me time to really get absorbed in both Astrid's and Natalie's story without that annoying switching of POV every chapter. I can honestly say that I did not see the twist coming until the chapter where it was revealed. At that point I put the Kindle down and thought back over all that had come before and it made perfect sense. It has been quite a few books since I was anxious to get back to reading while I was doing something else. I can't think of a single complaint about this one. 100% like!
June 7, 2021
¡Omg!
Lo mejor que he leído en el año. Estoy en shock con el giro que ha dado la trama. De verdad es una historia que te mantiene atrapada en cada página.
100% recomendable.
Lo mejor que he leído en el año. Estoy en shock con el giro que ha dado la trama. De verdad es una historia que te mantiene atrapada en cada página.
100% recomendable.
May 19, 2025
I found this book in the bookstore section of my local library and the synopsis read great and along with the cover lured me in and I’m so glad it did.
This book was a phenomenal read and honestly the feeling I got while reading it reminded me of a book I previously read- it has a subtle uneasiness, keeps you on the edge of your seat, you have this off feeling that something is going to go wrong but you doubt it at the same time. I’m honestly giddy to add a book like this to my own library. Definitely recommend the book!!👏🏻👏🏻💯
This book was a phenomenal read and honestly the feeling I got while reading it reminded me of a book I previously read- it has a subtle uneasiness, keeps you on the edge of your seat, you have this off feeling that something is going to go wrong but you doubt it at the same time. I’m honestly giddy to add a book like this to my own library. Definitely recommend the book!!👏🏻👏🏻💯
July 8, 2022
I picked this book up for $2.99 in hardback from a discount store, and when I did, I didn’t know I had found a hidden gem. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I’ve already read it. So, I’m going to. The cover is beautiful. The story inside the cover is heartfelt and surprising. I found myself laughing at odd moments because of the disease the author has created—the Wickedness. It’s not funny …but it is. Thank you, Alexander Yates, for the story I just reluctantly surfaced from. It was worth way more than I paid for it.
September 16, 2019
Wow, I love reading / watching post apocalyptic stuff. This novel didn’t disappoint me. It’s interesting while reading it I didn’t catch on that Astrid and Hank and Astrid’s father were the ones on Puffin Island until also the very end when the daughter Natalie said her mom was Astrid. I originally thought this story had 2 vexed girls at the same time. A pleasant surprise for me. I loved this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2024
THAT WAS CRAZY
December 28, 2024
Yeah this was SO good. Could not put it down once I started and ended up finishing in a day. One of my new favorite books for sure
March 18, 2020
Why doesn't this book have more reviews??
I dare say It's better than many books with more reviews out there.
Mind you, the book wasn't perfect, but I was reading and not even feeling the pages pass and If that doesn't scream good book then I don't know what will.
The idea of the wickedness as a virus was very creepy and original and very good timing to read it now.
And that huge surprise in the last quarter made me reel. I really didn't see that coming.
This was a perfect creepy thriller and I would love nothing more but to read about the wicked world in more books. The book cut off with an open ending and a lot of questions and I want them answered Mr.Yates!
I dare say It's better than many books with more reviews out there.
Mind you, the book wasn't perfect, but I was reading and not even feeling the pages pass and If that doesn't scream good book then I don't know what will.
The idea of the wickedness as a virus was very creepy and original and very good timing to read it now.
And that huge surprise in the last quarter made me reel. I really didn't see that coming.
This was a perfect creepy thriller and I would love nothing more but to read about the wicked world in more books. The book cut off with an open ending and a lot of questions and I want them answered Mr.Yates!
January 11, 2022
Think of the show The Walking Dead. If you enjoyed TWD then you'll enjoy HWBW. The fear of catching a disease that doesn't turn you into a zombie but psychopath kept me on edge wanting to see more of how this disease manifested in others. The two perspectives of the main characters also had me guessing what was going to happen in the future but the plot twist(s) caught me completely off guard making it an even better read. The disease itself had me enthralled to learn more about this world. Overall I loved it, and if you love apocalyptic reads or zombies you may love the unique take this book provides.
January 12, 2022
I'm not going to lie, this book was terrifying! Absolutely, astonishingly terrifying, but I loved it. There is something decidedly creepy about people who are so kind and polite and open, all the while talking about how they are going to dig out your eyes with teaspoons and wear your skin like a suit. I saw the twist coming a little quicker than I would have liked, but I think half the book passed before it occured to me.
I really really really hope the publisher picks up the sequel, because I desperately want to know what happens to Astrid, Hank, Natalie, Eva and even Amblin.
5 creeped-out stars from me!
I really really really hope the publisher picks up the sequel, because I desperately want to know what happens to Astrid, Hank, Natalie, Eva and even Amblin.
5 creeped-out stars from me!
July 8, 2023
Mình thích thế giới xây dựng trong này, rất hợp lý, làm nổi bật lên bản tính con người ích kỷ và tham lam, chỉ làm người tốt sau khi thoả mãn bản thân dù ở hoàn cảnh nào đi nữa.
Mình chỉ có hơi lấn cấn chút ở đoạn cơ chế phát bệnh của the wicked, họ có lúc tỉnh táo không?
“Rules written by people like your grandfather. People like Mr. Bushkrik. By them and for them. The rules didn’t stop in. The rules helped.”
Mình chỉ có hơi lấn cấn chút ở đoạn cơ chế phát bệnh của the wicked, họ có lúc tỉnh táo không?
“Rules written by people like your grandfather. People like Mr. Bushkrik. By them and for them. The rules didn’t stop in. The rules helped.”
Read
December 25, 2019I really enjoyed this but I would have enjoyed it a lot more 10 years ago.
I can’t give this book any more or less than 3.5 stars and since goodreads still hasn’t added half stars.. I won’t give this an official rating.
I can’t give this book any more or less than 3.5 stars and since goodreads still hasn’t added half stars.. I won’t give this an official rating.
April 5, 2021
I started reading it thinking it would be an interesting story and I was wonderfully surprised.
There is one word to describe this book: masterful.
There is one word to describe this book: masterful.
August 28, 2019
Loved loved loved this book!!! Right balance of mystery and dystopia. Two strong female characters that you hold your breath until you know they are ok. Did I say I LOVED this book?!?!
February 7, 2023
A book about a pandemic-turned-apocalypse written just before our own global pandemic seems very timely, but don't let the timing fool you; this book is so different from many of the other pandemic-centric books I've read over the years I'm surprised not to see it everywhere!!
"How We Became Wicked" is set during a 40-year pandemic brought on by an onslaught of mosquito-type creatures, who infect humans with a virus known only as "the wickedness." Once infected, people lose their imagination and turn to their darkest impulses, which typically include being honest about the ways they want to murder one another. "The true," the survivors, cannot exist without wearing hazmat suits, save for some — "the vexed," also known as the immune.
Astrid and Hank are eighteen-year-olds who have been raised in a community known as Goldsport, which is encased in a greenhouse-style glass globe to keep the stingers/wicked out and the true in. As the only two teens (or children at all) in the community, they're constantly scrutinized, even mores when they strike up a romantic relationship that crashes and burns. Astrid is vexed and highly curious about the surrounding community, especially a lighthouse that seemingly goes on and off at random.
Our other protagonist, Natalie, is in a bind. She and her mother have been living near Puffin Lighthouse all their lives, free of stingers or glass castles, with their wicked grandfather trapped inside the lighthouse proper. Natalie is also vexed, but when her dad leaves the family and her mother has a baby, she must venture beyond the lighthouse to seek help for her newborn sister - especially after her grandfather gets loose.
There are a lot of themes this book explores that remind me of "The Hunger Games" (the haves and have-nots experiencing wildly different circumstances in a dystopia) and "The Illuminae Files" (terrifying, highly contagious virus that makes people turn on one another violently). There was a twist to this book I didn't expect that FLOORED me when I realized. The writing isn't flowery or prose-y but I think especially effective in its simplicity and the stark reality of the world the characters live in, which also reminded me of Suzanne Collins' writing.
TL;DR if you're not sick of pandemic literature or want to dive deeper into a post-apocalyptic landscape that DOESNT feature zombies, check this one out!!
"How We Became Wicked" is set during a 40-year pandemic brought on by an onslaught of mosquito-type creatures, who infect humans with a virus known only as "the wickedness." Once infected, people lose their imagination and turn to their darkest impulses, which typically include being honest about the ways they want to murder one another. "The true," the survivors, cannot exist without wearing hazmat suits, save for some — "the vexed," also known as the immune.
Astrid and Hank are eighteen-year-olds who have been raised in a community known as Goldsport, which is encased in a greenhouse-style glass globe to keep the stingers/wicked out and the true in. As the only two teens (or children at all) in the community, they're constantly scrutinized, even mores when they strike up a romantic relationship that crashes and burns. Astrid is vexed and highly curious about the surrounding community, especially a lighthouse that seemingly goes on and off at random.
Our other protagonist, Natalie, is in a bind. She and her mother have been living near Puffin Lighthouse all their lives, free of stingers or glass castles, with their wicked grandfather trapped inside the lighthouse proper. Natalie is also vexed, but when her dad leaves the family and her mother has a baby, she must venture beyond the lighthouse to seek help for her newborn sister - especially after her grandfather gets loose.
There are a lot of themes this book explores that remind me of "The Hunger Games" (the haves and have-nots experiencing wildly different circumstances in a dystopia) and "The Illuminae Files" (terrifying, highly contagious virus that makes people turn on one another violently). There was a twist to this book I didn't expect that FLOORED me when I realized. The writing isn't flowery or prose-y but I think especially effective in its simplicity and the stark reality of the world the characters live in, which also reminded me of Suzanne Collins' writing.
TL;DR if you're not sick of pandemic literature or want to dive deeper into a post-apocalyptic landscape that DOESNT feature zombies, check this one out!!
April 21, 2023
Truthfully I should be rating this 3 stars, but the twist at the end alone warrants a 5 star by itself.
Edit: gave it the 3 stars it deserves
This book has an incredibly interesting concept on the oversaturated zombie apocalypse genre with the most interesting “zombies” I have seen. It’s so unsettling at times and the author does atmosphere perfectly. When you happen to make a broken world sound almost beautiful, but only just, that’s some pretty damn good writing.
“There were different pitches—looping and dipping, knotting and untangling. A rich harmony of hums. This was the sound of singers, thick in their summer swarms. This was the song that ruined the world.”
SO GOOD.
What bumps this novel down are two things: plot and characters. Lighthouse group is far more interesting than town group, and that’s not just because I’m biased towards lighthouses (they make awesome settings). I really enjoyed Natalie, she was great and by far the star of the show. Astrid and Hank are…not so great. I disliked their relationship, and I found myself hating Hank at all points in the book. He is supposed to be complicated but I found him more like sandpaper. I disliked the “villain” and the set of coincidences and how stupid the conflict was. There never seemed to be one continuous goal the characters are working for and rather a series of events they must react to. The one goal that seemed to be there was sidelined for like 100 different events that get shoved in their faces. Okay, enough about that.
The twist! It’s a fucking damn good twist. This is one of the books where you reach the end and must reread again because it has a completely different meaning once you know the twist. You will not see it coming. You may have pieces, but never the full story until it hits you. Oh shit. Oh shitttt. It’s that kind of twist.
And the ending. It’s ambiguous but after that twist I expected more when I shouldn’t have expected anything because the plot is so barebones that Yates couldn’t have had any substance for the ending. He’s lucky that twist is good or else I would’ve finished thinking, “That’s it?” instead of “THE TWIST!”
Nothing more I can say without spoilers. Get this book for the twist alone but don’t expect the most profound story you’ll ever read this year.
Edit: gave it the 3 stars it deserves
This book has an incredibly interesting concept on the oversaturated zombie apocalypse genre with the most interesting “zombies” I have seen. It’s so unsettling at times and the author does atmosphere perfectly. When you happen to make a broken world sound almost beautiful, but only just, that’s some pretty damn good writing.
“There were different pitches—looping and dipping, knotting and untangling. A rich harmony of hums. This was the sound of singers, thick in their summer swarms. This was the song that ruined the world.”
SO GOOD.
What bumps this novel down are two things: plot and characters. Lighthouse group is far more interesting than town group, and that’s not just because I’m biased towards lighthouses (they make awesome settings). I really enjoyed Natalie, she was great and by far the star of the show. Astrid and Hank are…not so great. I disliked their relationship, and I found myself hating Hank at all points in the book. He is supposed to be complicated but I found him more like sandpaper. I disliked the “villain” and the set of coincidences and how stupid the conflict was. There never seemed to be one continuous goal the characters are working for and rather a series of events they must react to. The one goal that seemed to be there was sidelined for like 100 different events that get shoved in their faces. Okay, enough about that.
The twist! It’s a fucking damn good twist. This is one of the books where you reach the end and must reread again because it has a completely different meaning once you know the twist. You will not see it coming. You may have pieces, but never the full story until it hits you. Oh shit. Oh shitttt. It’s that kind of twist.
And the ending. It’s ambiguous but after that twist I expected more when I shouldn’t have expected anything because the plot is so barebones that Yates couldn’t have had any substance for the ending. He’s lucky that twist is good or else I would’ve finished thinking, “That’s it?” instead of “THE TWIST!”
Nothing more I can say without spoilers. Get this book for the twist alone but don’t expect the most profound story you’ll ever read this year.
September 9, 2019
I read a lot of YA Dystopian for a few years, and got a bit burnt out on it. When this author approached the Tipsy Nerds about reading his book for the show, I was somewhat skeptical. The description made it sound sort of zombie-esque, and I've never been a big fan of that genre.
But after only a page, I could see that this story is not standard mindless-zombie-eating-people fare. It also is not filled with YA tropes. In short, it is a cool take on a dystopian world in which humanity has been decimated by an insect-borne plague.
The writing is tight and smart, aiming for a more literary bent and hitting the mark. I appreciated how the book resonated on issues such as aging and elder care; how we respond to the distress and demise of people outside of our community or group; and to themes of love, friendship and sacrifice for all that we hold dear.
I frequently know the "twist" in a book by the 1/3 mark, and I loved that I did not see the twist in this book coming.
If you enjoy dystopian fiction, coming of age stories, or just well-written stories of any kind, I recommend this one. Yates is a promising new-ish voice and I look forward to seeing what he imagines next.
(NOTE: The Tipsy Nerds are featuring this book, and chatting with the author, on our podcast, Tipsy Nerds Book Club (episode releases 9/12/19), available for free wherever you listen to podcasts. We're sipping Tang Mimosas we've dubbed "Vexed" in honor of the book for this episode).
But after only a page, I could see that this story is not standard mindless-zombie-eating-people fare. It also is not filled with YA tropes. In short, it is a cool take on a dystopian world in which humanity has been decimated by an insect-borne plague.
The writing is tight and smart, aiming for a more literary bent and hitting the mark. I appreciated how the book resonated on issues such as aging and elder care; how we respond to the distress and demise of people outside of our community or group; and to themes of love, friendship and sacrifice for all that we hold dear.
I frequently know the "twist" in a book by the 1/3 mark, and I loved that I did not see the twist in this book coming.
If you enjoy dystopian fiction, coming of age stories, or just well-written stories of any kind, I recommend this one. Yates is a promising new-ish voice and I look forward to seeing what he imagines next.
(NOTE: The Tipsy Nerds are featuring this book, and chatting with the author, on our podcast, Tipsy Nerds Book Club (episode releases 9/12/19), available for free wherever you listen to podcasts. We're sipping Tang Mimosas we've dubbed "Vexed" in honor of the book for this episode).
May 27, 2019
No one knows where the Wicked came from. It's carried by insects like mosquitos, insects that are still multiplying in the ruins of the old world. There are still a few True people, uninfected, left hiding out. And a tiny number of Vexed, immune to the stings. But they are far outnumbered by the horrifyingly polite Wicked, who want nothing more than to tear down what's left of the world.
This is one of the creepiest zombie novels I've ever read. The Wicked retain their memories and faculties, they know who they are and who the people around them are, they can talk and reason and do almost everything they could before. And they want to tear off your face before they finish their chess game. It would be awful to see someone you know become Wicked, seeing them still as almost the person they'd once been.
There's an extremely clever plot twist near the end of this book, and some fantastic characters, along with a good ending with a hook for a possible sequel. This is a brilliant read and I'll be reccing it as much as possible.
This is one of the creepiest zombie novels I've ever read. The Wicked retain their memories and faculties, they know who they are and who the people around them are, they can talk and reason and do almost everything they could before. And they want to tear off your face before they finish their chess game. It would be awful to see someone you know become Wicked, seeing them still as almost the person they'd once been.
There's an extremely clever plot twist near the end of this book, and some fantastic characters, along with a good ending with a hook for a possible sequel. This is a brilliant read and I'll be reccing it as much as possible.
July 20, 2021
I had this book sitting on my TBR pile for over a year, unable to read it because of what was happening in the world in 2020. However, I'm so glad that I finally read this. This is not your typical YA book with jovial tropes. This is a story about survival amidst a virus that turns people into, well, "wicked." It follows Hank and Astrid, both living in a town called Goldsport, which is completely isolated from the rest of the world, and their journey of solving two mysteries: the town's beginnings and whether or not there were any people living on Puffin Island. I loved how the different timelines create a sense of tension and mystery, and I appreciated the unexpected ending as well. I will definitely add this book to my classroom library.
August 23, 2021
Read this in a day, because it was a great read. Loved how Yates showed that those who were not infected with the disease, were still wicked in their own right. When you finish the book, it will make you question if the title is referring to those infected by the Singers or if it’s referring to the True before and after the plague. The behavior of the wicked reminded me of the first Kingsman movie…the way humanity turns on one another and loses all empathy and emotion. The twist was fabulous and well done. I also loved the touch of humor, with Natalie talking to and hearing the puffins and Eva.
November 29, 2022
This was SO much fun. Depressing, but in a fun way. Throughout the book I was pretty annoyed and upset at certain characters' actions, but then the end of the book happened and most of my big complaints now made sense. This is why we have to make mosquitoes extinct ASAP.
July 1, 2023
I thought I didn’t like sci-fi and this book has changed that! One of the best reads so far this year for me personally and deserving of so much more recognition. If Yates turned this into a series it wouldn’t be surprising to me if it became the next “Hunger Games”. Such an engaging story and I can’t stop thinking about these characters! If you like dystopian stories, read this!!
January 3, 2020
Amazing.
How do more people not know about this book?
It’s a fucking treat.
I loved every second of it. It has such a twist. Amazing.
How do more people not know about this book?
It’s a fucking treat.
I loved every second of it. It has such a twist. Amazing.
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