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The Darker Woods #1
Wicked Court
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had to hide who I am. What I am.
They had me play the sheep. They had me blend in. They marked me and sealed my power.
Now I have my freedom, because everyone who’s ever wanted me confined is dead.
I could have changed it. I could have altered the course of fate. I could have saved the unseelie queen.
I didn’t.
Vlari has always known her place: as far away from court as the unseelie queen can send her.
The youngest royal, born in an impoverished household, she endeavoured to earn her keep as an assistant. Her one aspiration? Avoiding the popular crowd of gentry fae who prey on the weak, and their dark, enticing leader, the mysterious Drusk.
Until the world implodes around her.
She has two options. Fade with rest of the unseelie kingdom, or protect a court that has never cared for her.
Disclaimer: Unlike many of May Sage’s novels, Wicked Court is written in first person.
Wicked Court is the first volume in a duet.
They had me play the sheep. They had me blend in. They marked me and sealed my power.
Now I have my freedom, because everyone who’s ever wanted me confined is dead.
I could have changed it. I could have altered the course of fate. I could have saved the unseelie queen.
I didn’t.
Vlari has always known her place: as far away from court as the unseelie queen can send her.
The youngest royal, born in an impoverished household, she endeavoured to earn her keep as an assistant. Her one aspiration? Avoiding the popular crowd of gentry fae who prey on the weak, and their dark, enticing leader, the mysterious Drusk.
Until the world implodes around her.
She has two options. Fade with rest of the unseelie kingdom, or protect a court that has never cared for her.
Disclaimer: Unlike many of May Sage’s novels, Wicked Court is written in first person.
Wicked Court is the first volume in a duet.
198 pages, ebook
First published January 16, 2020
1452 people are currently reading
5392 people want to read
About the author
May Sage
143 books1,921 followersMay Sage is a USA Today Bestselling romance writer dabbling in different genres.
When she isn’t writing, she spends her time with her German Shepherd and her two Savannahs. She loves reading, ballet, running, and cake. Mostly, cake.
May Sage also writes longer fantasy romance novels as Alexi Blake.
When she isn’t writing, she spends her time with her German Shepherd and her two Savannahs. She loves reading, ballet, running, and cake. Mostly, cake.
May Sage also writes longer fantasy romance novels as Alexi Blake.
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October 2, 2022
RATING: 2 stars to Wicked Court ★ ★
Like many who likely gravitated to this pick, I'm slightly fairy-fixated, dew-eyed and starstruck by this ethereal race of folk who've creatured some of my favourite reads. You could call me charmed (or downright besotted). While I'd desperately like to say that the fae folk have yet again sat centre to my orbit with another favourite to gush a rush of relish over, May Sage's Wicked Court didn’t make for wicked fun unfortunately. I didn't love this, and nobody's sadder by that outcome than me. Accelerated to the top of my list of immediate reads because it was time to break with contemporary romance for a bit and sit with some courtship backdropped by formidable fantasy elements (still dedicated to romancing those love bonds of course), I really nurtured some high hopes for this duology. I was at a peak state of reader thrill, and pitched as a fantasy PR romance with courts, craft (gorgeous covers) and cunning Fae with a royal heroine poached from her rights as a gentry, thieved from using her extraordinary magic and criminalised since birth by an unseelie queen's wrath, I could easily picture where a story of a trivialised powerhouse of a princess would go.
For better or for worse, this story just doesn't own the art of consistency or cohesion. Also deprived of fluency, sharpness and sense, the story isn't easy to follow, and with prose that's abtruse and ill-timed I was relegated to multiple passage re-reads. The writing wasn't an indulgence by any means and its oversimplicity sabotaged the storytelling quality for me. I can easily say that like many stories born of the word there are some interesting points to the world-building. Fleshing out of gentry Interrelations, the hierarchical history and structure. There's a warmongering race of fae, self-serving set of power-hungry gentry, fairy races, dastardly, diabolical creatures and a heroine who's bound to take a path of power unbound. Its ideas are there; it's the performance that's crippled by its struggle to perform, and thus as a whole, the story doesn't come together with the skill and style I was hoping for. At times, too much is thrown at the reader at once. At others, fractured plot pieces have nowhere to go. There's the tension that's either broken up by poor timing, informational luggage or isolated details. Then there's the cloggy information crossings combined with unclear ideas that doesn't help with tactful timing or developmental follow up. All of this considered? Defeat became me.
We have Vlari, who has the resilience and bearing of someone who's always lived on the outside looking in. Out of strategy and survival rather than choice. She's a castaway gentry who's been reduced to an outsider's life, away from her noble community of Fae familiars. She has a life that's no more than passable, no less than invisible to appease the unseelie queen who'd quicker end her life than let her belong among her people. In simple terms, Vlari's been coerced to live as small as she can live and be as small as she can be. Her life's a power play, and living in the felled Court of Mist that now belongs to her parents, she by no means lives a life of reserves and riches. Her Influence among the Fae (especially the common folk) comes from her penchant for bargain making. She's a servicing gentry, and through her decades of existence she's collected oaths, favours and trades that can't be broken - a storage of power to call on whenever the need arises (an interesting element to the story), and Vlari's not one to waste away an outstanding debt. While this hallmark makes Vlari interesting, and she's characterised as having those very devilish/amoral Fae markings while being quite pragmatic and a bit vicious, her personality nor her path comes together tactfully. As a protagonist, and in just the same way her power is referenced, she's fairly void. Her character portrayal felt empty. And with a heroine-only POV, she doesn't pull through with the strength of a dynamic heroine.
Her behaviours and responses are unemotional and self-preoccupied without the character development to support those behaviours and responses. For her to then take charge during the final-act invasion felt just as out of place as her decision to become a sacrifice for Tenebris. She’s quite detached from everyone and everything, and while I enjoyed the core of her profile and place In the story as the bottom rung with a path to come into her own power, nothing comes of it. All in all, the depth of character discovery isn't in great shape. Like the story, Vlari jumps from phase to phase and scene to scene without eliciting much sense. The book opens with a few many different things happening at once; our heroine gets bit by a Wryfox, the mysterious Drusk re-enters her life after decades, she's uncharacteristically summoned by the queen after a strange turn of events. Then advances Rystan Drusk; who wears the role of the mysterious mist in the background. They went to Whitecroft together without ever being of much consequence to each other. He was well socialised. She wasn't. Drusk's often described as a popular and ethereal unattainable progeny (though he's lower cast fae) and Vlari also as a rare progeny but one who reaps zero attention by comparison. She's an indifferent loner who's developed a silent life on the outskirts. He's a master of shadows and she's a mistress of life and death, and they always circled each other with prudence.
The hero and heroine have a bit of a hostile, unspoken history; they kept their distance, never associated at Whitecroft, traded cold stares, wide berths and empty expressions (with some sneering contempt in the mix) and only broke the tradition of their distance once or twice. Forward to the present day and Vlari's still exceptionally cautious of Drusk, never lets him in or near, and trusts him about as much as she trusts a queen who has nothing but darkness in her heart for her. They're both dark fae but that's not what makes Drusk a danger, and Vlari knows it. There's still a draw though. This story's a case of everybody thinks everybody else is either weak, irrelevant, dangerous or powerful, and the same power play exists between them. What's disappointing is that the romance doesn't feel like a romance. The only thing that hints at something romance-like is when Drusk buys her an expensive dress (that she wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise) and makes a bargain to accompany her to the Samhain ball. But even that's dressed in pragmatism and personal aim. When most else fails I have to of course look to the romance to save the day. And perhaps it would have if I had legitimately felt a love connection in the making. .
I didn't have a problem with Vlari possessing the sole POV in this book, but when Drusk gets the final chapter to himself and we get this image of a hero who believes that Vlari is as unattainable as she thinks he is, and who seems utterly struck to the heart by a final decision she makes, the tone change felt extreme. To be dropped into a shifted perspective that we hadn't felt through Vlari's POV was irreconcilable. Their relationship is expressed to be a case of stranger danger; cautious power-wielders to Indifferent companions to something slightly more than that. Is it fair to say that the relationship (and story) feels very YA? I think so. But paired with the fact that the supporting cast engage in uninhibited (public) sexual exploits with other Fae who have absolutely no qualms about nudity or exhibitionistic romps, it's also fair to say it was really odd that the romance doesn't have that appeal. It wasn't particularly romance-dominant. Due to above content though, I'd still confidently call this an adult fantasy. The leading characters did have leading traits but they didn't embody complexity, so admittedly the characterisation is rather plain. And while the story doesn't quite manage purpose or impact, the characters don't do much better in staging the same.
Generally speaking, there was something very untouched and emotionless about this read; undecided by all its detail or lack thereof, it was just filled with disconnect. As just my personal opinion, there's something for everyone so this might be your cuppa in spite of my discouraging bookish chatter (and to that I say, go ahead and down it with joy if it works for you). For me, I parted with Wicked Court still not knowing enough or understanding where the author was driven to take the story. To the ultimate, this moved along without an essential core of importance; movement without significance, and where there is tension, it usually collapses or teases at nothing consequential. The flat representation doesn't vibe with what was attempting to be accomplished here, and on top of this tilting trifle, the story sports numerous inconsistencies. As a book that swallows its own significance, this wasn't a kindred read for me. I do plan to follow up with Shadow Cursed to complete the second part of the duology but I have to say, I'm not convinced that the follow up will pursue something better. But here's to hoping? (Hands in prayer position) Let's hope.
While some might consider the page count too short, I think 200 pages *can* and often does provide ample space to fit in and jot down a pretty decent story between the margins. The misfortune with this book is that there are too many issues to take up with, and It's easy to take umbrage with the fact that the checklist remains unchecked. And while the cover design is a work of art, I can't say that May Sage's story of the Fae is written with equivalence. Incompletely finalised, this was elemental without the elements that bind and platforms protagonists of great power without a greater pull. Hopefully this Fae nut can reconcile what follows with a slogan that promises Fae for the win. With a hero who's all smirks and shadows and a heroines who's hidden beneath them, I'm sure many a reader can and will take comfort in the first parter to this duology. And I hope you do! Now, as the title in the second instalment suggests, I'm off to get shadow cursed.
Content Warning: human trafficking/ownership of humans. Sexual situations with side characters (not the protagonists). Blood. Violence. Slaughter. Death.
-----------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @TheVicarious1
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
-----------------------------------------------
Like many who likely gravitated to this pick, I'm slightly fairy-fixated, dew-eyed and starstruck by this ethereal race of folk who've creatured some of my favourite reads. You could call me charmed (or downright besotted). While I'd desperately like to say that the fae folk have yet again sat centre to my orbit with another favourite to gush a rush of relish over, May Sage's Wicked Court didn’t make for wicked fun unfortunately. I didn't love this, and nobody's sadder by that outcome than me. Accelerated to the top of my list of immediate reads because it was time to break with contemporary romance for a bit and sit with some courtship backdropped by formidable fantasy elements (still dedicated to romancing those love bonds of course), I really nurtured some high hopes for this duology. I was at a peak state of reader thrill, and pitched as a fantasy PR romance with courts, craft (gorgeous covers) and cunning Fae with a royal heroine poached from her rights as a gentry, thieved from using her extraordinary magic and criminalised since birth by an unseelie queen's wrath, I could easily picture where a story of a trivialised powerhouse of a princess would go.
For better or for worse, this story just doesn't own the art of consistency or cohesion. Also deprived of fluency, sharpness and sense, the story isn't easy to follow, and with prose that's abtruse and ill-timed I was relegated to multiple passage re-reads. The writing wasn't an indulgence by any means and its oversimplicity sabotaged the storytelling quality for me. I can easily say that like many stories born of the word there are some interesting points to the world-building. Fleshing out of gentry Interrelations, the hierarchical history and structure. There's a warmongering race of fae, self-serving set of power-hungry gentry, fairy races, dastardly, diabolical creatures and a heroine who's bound to take a path of power unbound. Its ideas are there; it's the performance that's crippled by its struggle to perform, and thus as a whole, the story doesn't come together with the skill and style I was hoping for. At times, too much is thrown at the reader at once. At others, fractured plot pieces have nowhere to go. There's the tension that's either broken up by poor timing, informational luggage or isolated details. Then there's the cloggy information crossings combined with unclear ideas that doesn't help with tactful timing or developmental follow up. All of this considered? Defeat became me.
We have Vlari, who has the resilience and bearing of someone who's always lived on the outside looking in. Out of strategy and survival rather than choice. She's a castaway gentry who's been reduced to an outsider's life, away from her noble community of Fae familiars. She has a life that's no more than passable, no less than invisible to appease the unseelie queen who'd quicker end her life than let her belong among her people. In simple terms, Vlari's been coerced to live as small as she can live and be as small as she can be. Her life's a power play, and living in the felled Court of Mist that now belongs to her parents, she by no means lives a life of reserves and riches. Her Influence among the Fae (especially the common folk) comes from her penchant for bargain making. She's a servicing gentry, and through her decades of existence she's collected oaths, favours and trades that can't be broken - a storage of power to call on whenever the need arises (an interesting element to the story), and Vlari's not one to waste away an outstanding debt. While this hallmark makes Vlari interesting, and she's characterised as having those very devilish/amoral Fae markings while being quite pragmatic and a bit vicious, her personality nor her path comes together tactfully. As a protagonist, and in just the same way her power is referenced, she's fairly void. Her character portrayal felt empty. And with a heroine-only POV, she doesn't pull through with the strength of a dynamic heroine.
Her behaviours and responses are unemotional and self-preoccupied without the character development to support those behaviours and responses. For her to then take charge during the final-act invasion felt just as out of place as her decision to become a sacrifice for Tenebris. She’s quite detached from everyone and everything, and while I enjoyed the core of her profile and place In the story as the bottom rung with a path to come into her own power, nothing comes of it. All in all, the depth of character discovery isn't in great shape. Like the story, Vlari jumps from phase to phase and scene to scene without eliciting much sense. The book opens with a few many different things happening at once; our heroine gets bit by a Wryfox, the mysterious Drusk re-enters her life after decades, she's uncharacteristically summoned by the queen after a strange turn of events. Then advances Rystan Drusk; who wears the role of the mysterious mist in the background. They went to Whitecroft together without ever being of much consequence to each other. He was well socialised. She wasn't. Drusk's often described as a popular and ethereal unattainable progeny (though he's lower cast fae) and Vlari also as a rare progeny but one who reaps zero attention by comparison. She's an indifferent loner who's developed a silent life on the outskirts. He's a master of shadows and she's a mistress of life and death, and they always circled each other with prudence.
The hero and heroine have a bit of a hostile, unspoken history; they kept their distance, never associated at Whitecroft, traded cold stares, wide berths and empty expressions (with some sneering contempt in the mix) and only broke the tradition of their distance once or twice. Forward to the present day and Vlari's still exceptionally cautious of Drusk, never lets him in or near, and trusts him about as much as she trusts a queen who has nothing but darkness in her heart for her. They're both dark fae but that's not what makes Drusk a danger, and Vlari knows it. There's still a draw though. This story's a case of everybody thinks everybody else is either weak, irrelevant, dangerous or powerful, and the same power play exists between them. What's disappointing is that the romance doesn't feel like a romance. The only thing that hints at something romance-like is when Drusk buys her an expensive dress (that she wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise) and makes a bargain to accompany her to the Samhain ball. But even that's dressed in pragmatism and personal aim. When most else fails I have to of course look to the romance to save the day. And perhaps it would have if I had legitimately felt a love connection in the making. .
I didn't have a problem with Vlari possessing the sole POV in this book, but when Drusk gets the final chapter to himself and we get this image of a hero who believes that Vlari is as unattainable as she thinks he is, and who seems utterly struck to the heart by a final decision she makes, the tone change felt extreme. To be dropped into a shifted perspective that we hadn't felt through Vlari's POV was irreconcilable. Their relationship is expressed to be a case of stranger danger; cautious power-wielders to Indifferent companions to something slightly more than that. Is it fair to say that the relationship (and story) feels very YA? I think so. But paired with the fact that the supporting cast engage in uninhibited (public) sexual exploits with other Fae who have absolutely no qualms about nudity or exhibitionistic romps, it's also fair to say it was really odd that the romance doesn't have that appeal. It wasn't particularly romance-dominant. Due to above content though, I'd still confidently call this an adult fantasy. The leading characters did have leading traits but they didn't embody complexity, so admittedly the characterisation is rather plain. And while the story doesn't quite manage purpose or impact, the characters don't do much better in staging the same.
Generally speaking, there was something very untouched and emotionless about this read; undecided by all its detail or lack thereof, it was just filled with disconnect. As just my personal opinion, there's something for everyone so this might be your cuppa in spite of my discouraging bookish chatter (and to that I say, go ahead and down it with joy if it works for you). For me, I parted with Wicked Court still not knowing enough or understanding where the author was driven to take the story. To the ultimate, this moved along without an essential core of importance; movement without significance, and where there is tension, it usually collapses or teases at nothing consequential. The flat representation doesn't vibe with what was attempting to be accomplished here, and on top of this tilting trifle, the story sports numerous inconsistencies. As a book that swallows its own significance, this wasn't a kindred read for me. I do plan to follow up with Shadow Cursed to complete the second part of the duology but I have to say, I'm not convinced that the follow up will pursue something better. But here's to hoping? (Hands in prayer position) Let's hope.
While some might consider the page count too short, I think 200 pages *can* and often does provide ample space to fit in and jot down a pretty decent story between the margins. The misfortune with this book is that there are too many issues to take up with, and It's easy to take umbrage with the fact that the checklist remains unchecked. And while the cover design is a work of art, I can't say that May Sage's story of the Fae is written with equivalence. Incompletely finalised, this was elemental without the elements that bind and platforms protagonists of great power without a greater pull. Hopefully this Fae nut can reconcile what follows with a slogan that promises Fae for the win. With a hero who's all smirks and shadows and a heroines who's hidden beneath them, I'm sure many a reader can and will take comfort in the first parter to this duology. And I hope you do! Now, as the title in the second instalment suggests, I'm off to get shadow cursed.
Content Warning: human trafficking/ownership of humans. Sexual situations with side characters (not the protagonists). Blood. Violence. Slaughter. Death.
-----------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @TheVicarious1
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
-----------------------------------------------
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January 20, 2020
To me, this feels strongly inspired by The Cruel Prince, only if Jude Duarte were a fae instead of a human.
Sadly, this book is nowhere NEAR as good. I had high hopes for the heroine initially, a fae princess who uses bargains to keep people under control, but she turned out to be an emotionless and two-dimensional cardboard cutout. Same with the hero. The action scenes are poorly written, and the book in general is just vaguely confusing.
There's also a ridiculous cliffhanger completely unnecessary to the plot as a whole, which I especially am opposed to because the whole thing is just so badly explained.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
Sadly, this book is nowhere NEAR as good. I had high hopes for the heroine initially, a fae princess who uses bargains to keep people under control, but she turned out to be an emotionless and two-dimensional cardboard cutout. Same with the hero. The action scenes are poorly written, and the book in general is just vaguely confusing.
There's also a ridiculous cliffhanger completely unnecessary to the plot as a whole, which I especially am opposed to because the whole thing is just so badly explained.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
April 14, 2020
3 stars
The book was good but kinda rushed by the end...
Another issue is whats with all the main male characters ???? why are they all the same ...
People! Authors! Please stop...
They all have the same look (sexy otherworldly beautiful) same type(Rhysand look alike full fit body, 6 packs, tall, beautiful hair and all shit women dream of) and same personality (brooding, ignores the protagonist while having the biggest love that you can never imagine for her)... I am really sick of this....
I want to read about new characterstisic about men with flaws, looking imperfect ,these types actually exist ...EVERYWHERE!!!
The book was good but kinda rushed by the end...
Another issue is whats with all the main male characters ???? why are they all the same ...
People! Authors! Please stop...
They all have the same look (sexy otherworldly beautiful) same type(Rhysand look alike full fit body, 6 packs, tall, beautiful hair and all shit women dream of) and same personality (brooding, ignores the protagonist while having the biggest love that you can never imagine for her)... I am really sick of this....
I want to read about new characterstisic about men with flaws, looking imperfect ,these types actually exist ...EVERYWHERE!!!
September 9, 2021
It was a fun book, although I can see writer getting inspired majorly by Holly black's book "the cruel prince" but it was still a fun ride.
I would give this story a 3.5 but with this gorgeous book cover it is easily a 4!
-H❤️
I would give this story a 3.5 but with this gorgeous book cover it is easily a 4!
-H❤️
Want to read
October 24, 2019That cover is beautiful and I'm mad for faeries, but my last waltz with May Sage didn't go over so well... To Claim a King was ultimately not a great read for me that lured me in with a pretty cover, but, maybe since it's been a few years since she wrote that last book, this will end up being something lovely.
Stay tuned, my lads!
Stay tuned, my lads!
January 14, 2022
Wicked Court started off interesting but then got confusing pretty quickly. Maybe it's because it's such a short book and things felt a bit rushed here and there. Or maybe, just maybe, I wasn't paying close attention to everything when I read this.
The characters were, again, interesting. I didn't really have a favorite this time around, but I'm intrigued to see what will happen next after the little cliffhanger. I'm also hoping that they get more development in the sequel because it doesn't seem like a lot happened for them.
In the end, it was a quick book to fly through. I just want some answers and better explanations in the next one.
The characters were, again, interesting. I didn't really have a favorite this time around, but I'm intrigued to see what will happen next after the little cliffhanger. I'm also hoping that they get more development in the sequel because it doesn't seem like a lot happened for them.
In the end, it was a quick book to fly through. I just want some answers and better explanations in the next one.
April 12, 2021
🔹I am so in love with the cover. 🔹
The different shades of blue completely draws my eye, and I seriously don’t wanna stop looking at it.
The tale begins with a girl of great status.
A princess.
One who is treated worse than the slaves at the castle.
One who is under the thumbs of the Fae Queen. A Queen that hates her.
Hates her for the power she yield, but are demanded not to use.
Even though she is treated like she doesn’t exist, Vlari is resilient and want nothing more to care for her family.
The world-building was strong. The characters compelling, but I must say some things were a bit rushed. Would have loved to have been lead around on a wild goose chase for a bit. I didn’t getting get that feeling of things building up.
It was just “BAM SHIT HAPPENS NOW”.
And I think I would have been more excited if we got a little tension first.
Overall a very great story, and it will not be the last of Sage I read.
Read: 22/07/2020
1st rating: 3 stars
Genre/tropes: FAE/ fantasy
Cover: 5 stars
POV’s: Dual 1st person (Mainly Vlari, but Drusk got a chapter)
Will I recommend: Yes
The different shades of blue completely draws my eye, and I seriously don’t wanna stop looking at it.
The tale begins with a girl of great status.
A princess.
One who is treated worse than the slaves at the castle.
One who is under the thumbs of the Fae Queen. A Queen that hates her.
Hates her for the power she yield, but are demanded not to use.
Even though she is treated like she doesn’t exist, Vlari is resilient and want nothing more to care for her family.
The world-building was strong. The characters compelling, but I must say some things were a bit rushed. Would have loved to have been lead around on a wild goose chase for a bit. I didn’t getting get that feeling of things building up.
It was just “BAM SHIT HAPPENS NOW”.
And I think I would have been more excited if we got a little tension first.
Overall a very great story, and it will not be the last of Sage I read.
Read: 22/07/2020
1st rating: 3 stars
Genre/tropes: FAE/ fantasy
Cover: 5 stars
POV’s: Dual 1st person (Mainly Vlari, but Drusk got a chapter)
Will I recommend: Yes
January 23, 2020
This was AMAZING! I haven’t been this engrossed in a book in a while. I loved the story, the world May Sage created and the characters. It was sooo good and I am now just dying for the next book. DYING! I need it.
August 11, 2024
3 stars
A cute stuff your kindle day read, the ending felt a bit rushed but I could see how the next book would be really good! Definitely recommend if it pops up for the next stuff your kindle day. Aaaand there’s a shadow daddy need I say more
A cute stuff your kindle day read, the ending felt a bit rushed but I could see how the next book would be really good! Definitely recommend if it pops up for the next stuff your kindle day. Aaaand there’s a shadow daddy need I say more
February 23, 2021
Felt like the draft of a novel that still needs fleshing out. Could have been much better if I had understood the character’s motivations better. Not to mention that rushed ending.
February 14, 2023
4.25 stars
This is just what I needed after some disappointing reads 🥰
This is just what I needed after some disappointing reads 🥰
January 2, 2022
3.5⭐️ Review:
Overall, I found this book to be enjoyable. Once you reach about 60% is when I began to like it & anticipate what was to come. I notice other reviews saying they didn’t like the ending, but I thought it wrapped up this first book nicely.
But, I will say that there were quite a few instances when something would be mentioned that would have no context and utterly confuse me, then would be explained pages later. Which isn’t necessarily bad, but it felt as if they should have been in explained further just so I at least knew what was being talked about initially.
So while there were a few hiccups, I do plan on starting & finishing the final book. But, the rating drop scares me. I’m hoping it’s not as bad as the reviews lead me to believe.
Overall, I found this book to be enjoyable. Once you reach about 60% is when I began to like it & anticipate what was to come. I notice other reviews saying they didn’t like the ending, but I thought it wrapped up this first book nicely.
But, I will say that there were quite a few instances when something would be mentioned that would have no context and utterly confuse me, then would be explained pages later. Which isn’t necessarily bad, but it felt as if they should have been in explained further just so I at least knew what was being talked about initially.
So while there were a few hiccups, I do plan on starting & finishing the final book. But, the rating drop scares me. I’m hoping it’s not as bad as the reviews lead me to believe.
July 15, 2024
DNF at 70%. I tried to give it a proper go, and considering it's so short I could have probably pushed through and just finished it, but it just wasn't grabbing me. It had elements that could have made it a good book, but it just felt a bit all over the place to me, I got 70% through and still felt like nothing had really happened, I still couldn't understand the magic system or all the different elements of the society, and there was no world building of note yet.
February 16, 2024
4.2 🐉
I feel like the last conflict started out of nowhere. There was no reason, no foreshadowing, no anything. Also how Morgana was handled. Wasted potential in my opinion.
Also I feel like the whole ordeal w Drusk was a little bit out of nowhere.
I feel like the last conflict started out of nowhere. There was no reason, no foreshadowing, no anything. Also how Morgana was handled. Wasted potential in my opinion.
Also I feel like the whole ordeal w Drusk was a little bit out of nowhere.
March 30, 2020
I almost put this book down- I was so confused at the beginning (especially since I speed read and probably didn’t get enough of the story and detail). I’m glad I didn’t. I did enjoy this book and going to find the second one now- shadow curse (crap available 4/18/20)
*read through kindle unlimited
*read through kindle unlimited
January 2, 2024
⭐️2.6/5
I really wanted to like this one. It starts off decently, but feels very rushed - a bit like a first draft even. I wish the characters were more fleshed out or that we had a reason to root for them. The rushed pace didn’t give me time to become invested in Vlari or Rystan (Rhysand).
I did enjoy the hierarchies at play and the various courts.
I really wanted to like this one. It starts off decently, but feels very rushed - a bit like a first draft even. I wish the characters were more fleshed out or that we had a reason to root for them. The rushed pace didn’t give me time to become invested in Vlari or Rystan (Rhysand).
I did enjoy the hierarchies at play and the various courts.
September 26, 2023
honestly, for a free book that I got during stuff my kindle day that was surprisingly enjoyable. A lot happened towards the end which made it feel a bit rushed but it was still an interesting story line :)
February 6, 2024
Very short very cute. I enjoyed my time with this story. It doesn't have much substance (its very short) but what was there was good.
Tropes I can remember in hopes some of them inspire you to read this:
- fated mates
- slow burn (there is no romance in this first book)
- big man | tiny lady
- stabby female mc
Highly recommend
Tropes I can remember in hopes some of them inspire you to read this:
- fated mates
- slow burn (there is no romance in this first book)
- big man | tiny lady
- stabby female mc
Highly recommend
December 30, 2022
3.5. i was enjoying this but the ending kind of lost me.
July 15, 2023
I really don’t care for it when the cover doesn’t match what the actual kindle has.
April 3, 2024
Annoyed it took me more than 60 pages to get into the reading. But here we are and now I need to know what happens next.
3.5 Stars. Feels a touch rushed and dang I can't pronounce half these names.
3.5 Stars. Feels a touch rushed and dang I can't pronounce half these names.
September 25, 2023
Overall the book was enjoyable, especially the last 40 % of it. I must say, sometimes I felt confused by the plot out of nowhere, but it was just temporary. The author was also strongly inspired by “the Cruel Prince”, which is not necessarily bad.
December 24, 2020
The cover and premise of WICKED COURT totally suckered me in. The story SCREAMED everything that would normally keep me hooked from start to finish. I did enjoy Vlari's go-get-em' self-sufficient and pragmatic mindset. I also thought the different courts and hierarchy of Fae folk was intriguing, and I kept looking forward to digging into this new world.
Unfortunately, I really struggled to like WICKED COURT more. It's shocking to me because, again, I fully expected to enjoy it. I went in hoping to love it! Yet, as the story progressed, the feeling of something missing grew. There were weird moments of simultaneous action and info-dumping. For example, when Vlari is running through the woods at the beginning of the story. She's up in the treetops because it's safe for her and we're immediately sucked into this moment of her trying to avoid danger in a place filled to the brim with monsters wanting to kill her. And yet, this tension kept collapsing when Vlari went on and on about the different types of Fae and Gentry and other details that I honestly didn't understand WHY she was choosing to reveal it all in THAT particular moment. In fact, some of these details about the Fae, such as them mating with humans, is repeated several times. I was so eager to learn more about this world. As the story progressed, I don't think we learn quite enough to keep up or, perhaps, the issue is we're given TOO MUCH detail from start to finish, and I'm not quite sure why we're told half of what we are. It's not really all that relevant to what goes down in the book.
I truly wanted to love Vlari and Ryslan (or however you spell his name), but we don't get enough there, either. We get a few flashbacks and Vlari's obvious attraction to him, but no kissing. No longing glances. No...anything. I was really confused by this. Everything about the way this book was set up hinted, to me, that it would have romance, but we don't get any of that.
I think part of my struggle with WICKED COURT is that it didn't appear to be cohesive. Like, I couldn't tell you the major plot points before the climax (which was a surprising twist, so I'll give the story that). For example, we witness Vlari releases a shadowy human in the opening. This seems like such a huge deal. I expected her to get busted. She even says she could get into trouble for it...but nothing comes of this detail. Nothing comes from her crush's hint that maybe she could marry him. No real consequences come when Vlari uses her magic. I feel like the book goes from Act One to Act Three without building much up in the middle. And this confused me. So much was going on and yet, it felt like nothing had happened at all. When we get to the end, confusion is deepened by a sudden POV switch to the crush (which is in 1st POV, so it's super confusing until someone says his name). This threw me for a loop. I don't understand what was gained by it. We didn't really learn anything new except what we already guessed.
Again, I loved the idea of this book, but it didn't come together for me. I read the entire thing in the hope that, in the very least, the romance would surprise me or a twist would hook me, but this never happened. I think maybe this book is best for those who don't really care much for deep POV kind of characters or immersive worlds. I'm not saying it should have been LOTR level , but it was compared to Holly Black's CRUEL PRINCE and Kagawa's IRON FEY series, both of which are my favorites (see why I thought I'd love it???) .
And honesty, that feels like a bald-faced lie to me or like maybe whoever recommended these comps hadn't read either of those series (I have and I loved them!) I'm just...confused and frustrated that WICKED COURT didn't work for me. It's just not a story for me. It's not something I would read again.
Unfortunately, I really struggled to like WICKED COURT more. It's shocking to me because, again, I fully expected to enjoy it. I went in hoping to love it! Yet, as the story progressed, the feeling of something missing grew. There were weird moments of simultaneous action and info-dumping. For example, when Vlari is running through the woods at the beginning of the story. She's up in the treetops because it's safe for her and we're immediately sucked into this moment of her trying to avoid danger in a place filled to the brim with monsters wanting to kill her. And yet, this tension kept collapsing when Vlari went on and on about the different types of Fae and Gentry and other details that I honestly didn't understand WHY she was choosing to reveal it all in THAT particular moment. In fact, some of these details about the Fae, such as them mating with humans, is repeated several times. I was so eager to learn more about this world. As the story progressed, I don't think we learn quite enough to keep up or, perhaps, the issue is we're given TOO MUCH detail from start to finish, and I'm not quite sure why we're told half of what we are. It's not really all that relevant to what goes down in the book.
I truly wanted to love Vlari and Ryslan (or however you spell his name), but we don't get enough there, either. We get a few flashbacks and Vlari's obvious attraction to him, but no kissing. No longing glances. No...anything. I was really confused by this. Everything about the way this book was set up hinted, to me, that it would have romance, but we don't get any of that.
I think part of my struggle with WICKED COURT is that it didn't appear to be cohesive. Like, I couldn't tell you the major plot points before the climax (which was a surprising twist, so I'll give the story that). For example, we witness Vlari releases a shadowy human in the opening. This seems like such a huge deal. I expected her to get busted. She even says she could get into trouble for it...but nothing comes of this detail. Nothing comes from her crush's hint that maybe she could marry him. No real consequences come when Vlari uses her magic. I feel like the book goes from Act One to Act Three without building much up in the middle. And this confused me. So much was going on and yet, it felt like nothing had happened at all. When we get to the end, confusion is deepened by a sudden POV switch to the crush (which is in 1st POV, so it's super confusing until someone says his name). This threw me for a loop. I don't understand what was gained by it. We didn't really learn anything new except what we already guessed.
Again, I loved the idea of this book, but it didn't come together for me. I read the entire thing in the hope that, in the very least, the romance would surprise me or a twist would hook me, but this never happened. I think maybe this book is best for those who don't really care much for deep POV kind of characters or immersive worlds. I'm not saying it should have been LOTR level , but it was compared to Holly Black's CRUEL PRINCE and Kagawa's IRON FEY series, both of which are my favorites (see why I thought I'd love it???) .
And honesty, that feels like a bald-faced lie to me or like maybe whoever recommended these comps hadn't read either of those series (I have and I loved them!) I'm just...confused and frustrated that WICKED COURT didn't work for me. It's just not a story for me. It's not something I would read again.
January 15, 2025
This book was so much fun to read!! It was a good quick read that I read in one night and lovvinnggg the tension between the 2 main characters! I can’t wait to read the next one!!
October 4, 2021
Vlari, es una protagonista increíble, lo poco que se logra conocer de ella es asombroso, la forma en la que actúa, su fuerza, su convicción para aguantar ser humillada por todos solo para proteger a los que ama, los momentos dónde ella descubre que la reina estaba muerta y ella decidí sin sentir ningún remordimiento de no revivirla, son escenas increíbles, como absorbe tanto poder y al final no deja que la oscuridad que habita en ella gane, cómo después en cuestión de segundo hace todo lo posible para salvar a las demás cortes, es que ella es verdaderamente poderosa y ya no se esconderá más.
Con lo poco que se conoce de la estructura de todo este mundo es más que suficiente, no da vueltas innecesarias, va directo al punto, toda la fantasía que se maneja me dejo alucinada, fue una lectura que disfrute demasiado y con ese final automáticamente voy a leerme el segundo.
Con lo poco que se conoce de la estructura de todo este mundo es más que suficiente, no da vueltas innecesarias, va directo al punto, toda la fantasía que se maneja me dejo alucinada, fue una lectura que disfrute demasiado y con ese final automáticamente voy a leerme el segundo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2022
ME ENCANTÓ
Hace bastante no leía un libro que, en la narración, me atrapara tanto, es una maravilla
Hace bastante no leía un libro que, en la narración, me atrapara tanto, es una maravilla
January 22, 2020
Loved it!
Over the years, I've read a number of May Sage's books, paranormal and contemporary romance. Regardless of the genre, I always enjoy her style of storytelling. It's fresh and engaging.
This is the first fantasy romance of hers for me, though. And it was wonderful! The writing feels light, it flows well and easy to read. The story is complex, with rich world-building. And the characters are interesting and created with depth. I love Vlari, and Rystan intrigues me.
The slow-burn romance is sprinkled throughout the story in a series of delicious moments when the two interact, and I couldn't get enough of it. The time Vlari and Rystan spend together builds up into a progressing relationship, which I loved.
I'm definitely buying book 2 when it's out!
Over the years, I've read a number of May Sage's books, paranormal and contemporary romance. Regardless of the genre, I always enjoy her style of storytelling. It's fresh and engaging.
This is the first fantasy romance of hers for me, though. And it was wonderful! The writing feels light, it flows well and easy to read. The story is complex, with rich world-building. And the characters are interesting and created with depth. I love Vlari, and Rystan intrigues me.
The slow-burn romance is sprinkled throughout the story in a series of delicious moments when the two interact, and I couldn't get enough of it. The time Vlari and Rystan spend together builds up into a progressing relationship, which I loved.
I'm definitely buying book 2 when it's out!
December 24, 2023
I got this book for one of the stuff your kindle days. Listen, I really wanted to like it and I really tried. I guess it wasn't for me. :(
There was no chemistry between the love interests, almost as if they're into each other because that's how the author writes it to be. The conflict of the story didn't really work for me as I don't feel there were many stakes. It was coming off as a fanfic and not in the good ways where at times I found myself cringing. I feel like there should have been more detail in the world building. I found the characters also lacking dimensionality. The story felt rushed or like a rough draft that still needed more work. There's definitely potential for a good fantasy with all the mythic creatures and some of the politics set up for the world but it needs work.
There was no chemistry between the love interests, almost as if they're into each other because that's how the author writes it to be. The conflict of the story didn't really work for me as I don't feel there were many stakes. It was coming off as a fanfic and not in the good ways where at times I found myself cringing. I feel like there should have been more detail in the world building. I found the characters also lacking dimensionality. The story felt rushed or like a rough draft that still needed more work. There's definitely potential for a good fantasy with all the mythic creatures and some of the politics set up for the world but it needs work.
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