Kingdom of the Wicked
A witch summons a demon prince to solve her sister's murder and enters a dangerous game
By Ember · Updated July 2, 2026
Kingdom of the Wicked is about Emilia, a witch whose twin sister is murdered, and Wrath, the demon prince she summons for help. Kerri Maniscalco writes dark fantasy where demons are sexy and dangerous, witch hunting creates paranoia, and solving the mystery means venturing into Hell itself.
What makes the book special is how Maniscalco writes Wrath. He's a Prince of Hell, so expecting him to be safe is foolish. But he's also bound by rules and contracts, which makes him predictable in specific ways. The relationship develops through bargains, mutual benefit, and the slow realization that they might care about each other despite every reason not to.
The world-building is atmospheric and sensory. Maniscalco writes food as magic, witches as hunted, and Hell as a place of dangerous beauty. The mystery of who's killing witches drives the plot, while Emilia's grief for her sister anchors the emotional core.
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Quick answer
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco follows witch Emilia summoning demon prince Wrath to solve her sister's murder. The book explores demon romance where trust is impossible, witch hunt paranoia, murder mystery investigation, and grief-driven vengeance.
A witch summons a demon prince to solve her sister's murder and enters a dangerous game
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What you're really looking for when you search for books like Kingdom of the Wicked
You want demon romance. You want love interests who are literally from Hell, who are dangerous and morally gray, who don't pretend to be good. You want the tension of not knowing if they care or if they're using you.
You're also looking for murder mysteries. You want books where the protagonist is investigating, uncovering secrets, and putting together clues. You want plot-driven fantasy romance where the mystery matters as much as the relationship.
And you want twin sister dynamics. You want books about grief, about the bond between sisters, about someone willing to go to Hell literally to avenge their sibling. You want family loyalty that drives every choice.
The reader take
Maniscalco writes atmospheric, food-focused fantasy. Wrath is dangerous and doesn't apologize for it. Emilia is driven by grief and loyalty. The mystery is engaging. The romance is slow-burn and morally complicated. If you want dark fantasy with demon romance and murder mystery, start here.
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Book recommendations
A Court of Thorns and Roses
by Sarah J. Maas
Dangerous fae romance with mystery elements. Maas writes morally complex love interests and lush world-building with similar scope.
From Blood and Ash
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Forbidden romance with dangerous love interest and revelations about the world. Armentrout writes similar intensity and world-shattering reveals.
The Shadows Between Us
by Tricia Levenseller
Heroine plots to kill the king. Levenseller writes morally gray romance and dangerous games with similar dark fantasy vibes.
Serpent and Dove
by Shelby Mahurin
Witch hiding from witch hunters. Mahurin writes religious persecution and secret identities with similar atmospheric darkness.
House of Earth and Blood
by Sarah J. Maas
Urban fantasy with murder mystery and dangerous romance. Maas writes demons, fae, and angels coexisting with similar world-building complexity.
Common questions
Is this a standalone or part of a series?
First book in a trilogy. The mystery arc has some resolution but sets up larger conflicts. The romance is slow-burn across books. You'll want to read the whole series.
How much romance versus mystery?
Balanced. The murder investigation drives the plot. The romance builds slowly through the investigation. If you need constant romantic focus, it might feel light. If you like mystery with romantic tension, it works.
Is Wrath actually dangerous or is it all talk?
Actually dangerous. He's a demon prince. Maniscalco doesn't soften him into a misunderstood hero. He's capable of terrible things. Whether that's appealing or off-putting depends on your tolerance for morally gray love interests.
Related books like
A Court of Thorns and Roses
A Beauty and the Beast retelling with fae politics, curses, and slow-burn magic
From Blood and Ash
The Maiden chosen for the gods falls for her forbidden guard and discovers everything she knows is a lie
Serpent & Dove
A witch and a witch hunter are forced to marry and discover hate might become something else
Throne of Glass
An assassin competes for her freedom in a deadly competition at the glass castle
House of Earth and Blood
Urban fantasy meets murder investigation with fae, angels, and a slow-burn that tests patience
Related tropes
Ready for your story? Imagine living it.
Ember writes you into Emilia's position as someone who lost everything and will risk anything to get answers. You're the one deciding whether to trust a demon prince, how far you'll go for vengeance, if solving the mystery is worth descending into Hell.
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