Wicked Saints (Something Dark and Holy #1)

Author: Emily A. Duncan
Pages: 385
Overall: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 3/5
Cheers Factor: 3.5/5
Pairing: Redrum

I like this drink firstly because it has a kicker that you don’t expect and that’t the dark rum hence why I names it redrum. I also thought it was cheeky as it’s quite literally a red drink with rum. Also I think Nadya is woefully unprepared and naive for the world she steps into and doesn’t realize the danger she’s in until itr’s too late almost as though she’s looking at everything backwards in a mirror.

Ingredients
-1 ½ oz dark rum
-1 handful of blackberries
-¼ lime wedge
-mint sprigs
-ginger beer
-ice

"A boy made king of monsters for a kingdom of the damned."

​
Instructions
-Combine blackberries and lime wedge and mint  in a glass and muddle
-Add rum and dry shake to combine (without ice)
-Double strain into glass
-Top with ginger beer and add ice
-Garnish with optional lime wheels
-Enjoy responsibly 


"A future that could not - would not - be stopped. A future that had already been set into motion."

---

Take a Shot: Nadezhda is a cleric. Or better said a person who is touched by the gods. She has a direct line to them and their powers when they grant them to her. The clerics have been hunted for their abilities by the Tranavians because of the war as well as their hatred of the gods. The Kalyazi need Nadya to fight their war against the heretical Tranavians. However, everything changes when the monastery Nadya is living at is raided by Tranavian soldiers and one among them is different. He is the Crown Prince Serefin Meleski. In fleeing she ends up teaming up with a ragtag band of young people with drastically different motivations and goals. With friendship, love and the safety of two countries at war on the line they will all soon feel the pressure of their individual missions.

"I would not want to be the cause of your pain, even if it may be inevitable."


Setting
I really like the whole Eastern Europe/Slavic region kind of setting. I think buy and large it’s a very underused setting in fantasy novels to really have something emulate the real world. I get Shadow and Bone vibes from the setting which I really appreciated.

"If something happens tomorrow...I want you to know you are the only good thing that has ever happened to me."

Characters
This is by far a book about the characters. I feel it’s the biggest strength of the book aside from the writing and the writing is really good when the characters are speaking and naturally the characters benefit from this. I think despite other factors I’m severely invested in the characters in a way that I would not have expected given my thoughts around the other factors of this novel. I love the multiple perspectives and I think it’s a unique way to tell the story of the characters meant to be more elusive to tell them more minimally. A very distinct writing choice that works very well for the characters.

"The understanding I had in mind was one that kept you safer than this, towy dzimyka."

Plots and Themes
This for me is the weakest part of the novel. I have to admit that half the time I’m a little lost. I understand broad strokes what is happening and that’s about it. It feels at times a little disjointed and important things are skipped over when the perspectives change. I think this is reminiscent oddly in parts to the Selection, but reduced in a way that feels like The Red Queen series. I love the Selection and actually do quite enjoy The Red Queen, but the stark difference between the two is the lack of continuity and disjointed overall feel of a relationship and complicated royal setting which is why I am throwing this one in line more so with the latter. For the most part the plot is bearable and at times understandable. I'm just not sure the execution is done well enough to do the characters justice. 

"Some gods require blood."
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Overall
I said it in my characters section, but truly I believe this is one of the few series where I’m Immensely invested in the characters without really knowing what is happening. It’s a true strength of the book and again the writing is impeccable. I would recommend this book strictly because of those things. 

Reasons to raise a glass- a true dark love interest (like actually irredeemable but not in the way that you actually wouldn’t want the characters to be together IRL), the writing *chefs kiss*
Too Strong- The plot is confusing and hard to follow, no urgency, lack of consequences that drive the story

​Warning! Spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk.

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