Book Details
Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan is dark fantasy at its finest—gods, blood magic, and betrayals galore! Meet Nadya, a divine cleric with secrets; Serefin, a prince who drinks too much; and Malachiasz, the wildcard you’ll love to hate. Perfect for anyone craving danger, intrigue, and a little chaos.
Emily A. Duncan
Emily A. Duncan is the New York Times bestselling author of the Noble’s Curse series, which began with Wicked Saints. Raised on a steady diet of punk music and fantasy novels, she writes dark and complex stories that dive into the tensions between good and evil. Emily lives in New York, where she spends her days creating worlds and writing characters with sharp edges.
Wicked Saints is the first book in The Noble’s Curse series, featuring a young cleric with dangerous powers, a prince at war, and a dark figure who may hold the key to saving—or destroying—the world.
- Fantasy:
Wicked Saints blends classic high fantasy with dark, gothic elements. Magic, from divine powers to blood magic, is an integral part of the world-building, offering readers a complex, often brutal world where the lines between good and evil are blurred. - Dark Fantasy:
The novel delves into themes of violence, betrayal, and war, set in a world full of bloodshed and magical manipulation. Characters struggle with internal darkness, and the story examines the price of power in a war-torn world. - Political Intrigue:
The political elements in Wicked Saints are as treacherous as its magic. Princes, priests, and power-hungry factions vie for control, creating a tense atmosphere where alliances shift quickly, and loyalty is often tested. - Young Adult:
While the book touches on mature themes, it is largely YA in its character-driven storytelling. Nadya, the protagonist, is a young woman at the heart of a brutal conflict, dealing with questions of faith, loyalty, and love amidst the chaos of war.
- Power and Corruption: The Struggle for control and the moral consequences of wielding immense power.
- Faith and Doubt: The internal and external conflicts of characters struggling with their beliefs and the role faith plays in a war-torn world.
- Betrayal and Loyalty: Characters must navigate shifting alliances and conflicting interests, learning who they can trust.
St. Martin’s Press
Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
A girl who can speak to gods must save her people without destroying herself. A prince in danger must decide who to trust. A boy with a monstrous secret waits in the wings. Together, they must assassinate the king and stop the war.
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DISCLAIMER: This review purely reflects my personal experience reading this book. Any theories/thoughts should in no way be considered as cannon. I might even slip up and overshare juicy details so I can not promise no spoilers.
Wicked Saints Summary
Let me tell you about Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan—a book that grabbed me by the collar and refused to let go. Imagine a world where gods are real, magic can get you killed (or worse), and war is pretty much knocking on everyone’s front door. At the heart of it all is Nadya, a cleric who can chat with gods (no big deal, right?) and borrow their power.
But, naturally, that makes her a walking bullseye. When her kingdom faces invasion, she teams up with Serefin, a prince whose life is basically one giant dumpster fire, and Malachiasz, a dark and brooding mystery wrapped in questionable motives. Together, they’re on a mission to stop the war—oh, and maybe unlock some crazy hidden powers that could either save the day or doom them all. No pressure.
This book is a rollercoaster of magic, danger, and betrayals that’ll have you side-eyeing everyone on the page. The stakes are high, the magic is brutal, and every choice comes with a serious “uh-oh” factor. Nadya faces some big questions, like how far she’s willing to go—and how much of herself she’s willing to lose—for the greater good.
Duncan masterfully throws us into a morally gray world where alliances shift like sand, and trust is about as sturdy as wet tissue paper. If you’re into dark fantasy with complex characters, gut-punching twists, and a healthy dose of “WHAT JUST HAPPENED,” this one’s for you. Warning: you’ll probably want to argue with the characters, root for them, and yell at them—sometimes all at once.
Wicked Saints Characters
Wicked Saints shines in creating multifaceted, compelling characters with unique motivations. From Nadya, a morally conflicted cleric grappling with her divine connection, to Malachiasz, an enigmatic figure with shifting allegiances, the novel avoids simplistic notions of good and evil. Instead, it explores their inner struggles and complex moral dilemmas that challenge their beliefs and decisions.
What sets the character-building apart is its focus on shades of gray. Nadya’s faith is tested as she confronts the limits of her worldview, while Malachiasz’s haunted past and questionable actions add a vulnerability that draws readers in despite his darker side. These layered characters, with evolving flaws and virtues, feel deeply real by placing them in situations where right and wrong blur; the book encourages readers to empathize with their struggles and reflect on their own morality.
Nadya
Nadya is a cleric with a direct line to the gods—pretty impressive, right? But that divine connection isn’t all sunshine and miracles. It’s both her greatest strength and, well, a bit of a headache. Her journey is a rollercoaster of self-discovery, filled with questions about the morality of her powers and the weight of her kingdom’s fate on her shoulders. If you love stories about magic, faith, and a bit of soul-searching, Nadya’s tale is one you won’t want to miss.
Serefin
Ah, Serefin—our brooding prince caught in the messy web of war and politics. He’s trying to keep his kingdom together while juggling a to-do list that includes “save my people” and “deal with the guilt of my questionable decisions.” Fiercely loyal but oh-so-flawed, Serefin’s journey is the kind that makes you clutch the book tighter at 2 a.m., muttering, “Just one more chapter.” Because really, who can resist a tortured royal with a heart of gold and enough angst to fill a library?
- Malachiasz: Ah, Malachiasz—our enigmatic wildcard with a knack for keeping everyone on edge. Is he a friend, foe, or something deliciously in between? With his secretive agenda and unpredictable nature, he’s the kind of character who makes you nervously flip pages at midnight. Both a reluctant ally and a potential disaster for Nadya and Serefin, he adds just the right dose of tension to keep this story utterly unputdownable.
My Fave Wicked Saints Quotes
Gods are fickle things. But they are real.
You have to choose your own path. Sometimes it is the wrong one, and sometimes it leads to places you’d never expect.
People do terrible things when they believe they're fighting for a cause greater than themselves.
We all have blood on our hands. It’s the price of living in a world like this.
Sometimes it’s better to let go of the things that hold you back, even if it means giving up something you thought you wanted.
World-Building
Oh, where do I even begin? The world of Wicked Saints is one of those places that feels alive—dark, dangerous, and dripping with intrigue. It’s the kind of setting that pulls you in so completely you can almost hear the echo of prayers whispered in crumbling cathedrals or feel the sharp tang of magic in the air.
Gods, Religion, and a Dash of Divine Drama
Here, the gods aren’t just passive figures carved into stone—they meddle, they judge, they intervene. And trust me, their presence is felt everywhere. Religion is a cornerstone of this society, not just a background hum but a driving force that shapes lives, alliances, and wars.
Rival religious factions are constantly at each other’s throats, each claiming to have the ultimate truth. It’s like a never-ending divine soap opera, with power struggles and betrayals aplenty. You honestly can’t trust anyone—or any deity—for that matter.
Magic: A Beautiful, Dangerous Beast
Ah, the magic here isn’t just some sparkly wand-waving nonsense. No, no, it’s raw, feral, and deeply tied to the world’s fabric. It’s not just a tool for the characters—it’s a character in its own right. The magic here can heal or destroy, bind or unravel, and sometimes, it demands a price that leaves its mark. Think of it as a double-edged sword with a bit of an attitude problem.
Society: Castes, Wars, and Messy Alliances
Society? Let’s just say it’s complicated. Picture a world where people are divided not just by caste but by centuries of blood-soaked wars. The stakes are always high, and alliances shift as quickly as a shadow passing over a battlefield. Navigating this world is like walking a tightrope over a pit of vipers—you’ve got to watch your step or lose everything.
The Perfect Backdrop for Trouble
With all this divine meddling, magic madness, and societal chaos, is it any wonder the characters in Wicked Saints are constantly teetering on the brink of disaster? Their dangerous journeys and impossible choices feel that much more intense because the world itself is working against them at every step. It’s the perfect storm of tension and drama, and I can’t get enough of it.
If you’re a sucker for lush, intricate world-building with a side of dark, twisty conflict, this book is an absolute must-read. Trust me, you’ll be thinking about this world long after you’ve turned the last page.
The Plot
Wicked Saints is a whirlwind of chaos, conflict, and choices that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Nadya’s world is falling apart faster than my TBR pile, and she’s faced with some seriously tough decisions—who to trust, what to fight for, and how far she’s willing to go to survive. Add in some juicy political intrigue and shifting alliances, and you’ve got a story filled with enough tension to make your heart race.
Main Conflicts
Let’s talk main conflicts, shall we? First, there’s the small matter of Nadya’s kingdom being invaded (yikes). Then there’s the whole divine vs. earthly power struggle—oh, and did I mention she can talk to gods? Cool, right? Well, not when that gift makes her both a hero and a target.
Throw in Malachiasz, the mysterious wildcard with loyalty issues, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster (or greatness, depending on the day). His actions could either save the day or utterly doom their mission. No pressure, Malachiasz.
Climax
And the climax—oh, the climax. Betrayals, moral dilemmas, and alliances that make you second-guess everything. The stakes are sky-high, and the resolution is that perfect mix of heartbreak and hope.
It doesn’t tie everything up in a neat little bow (because where’s the fun in that?), but it leaves just enough unresolved to make you practically beg for the next book. Trust me—this one’s a must-read for anyone who loves their fantasy dark, their characters messy, and their stakes impossibly high.
The Wicked Saints Themes
Wicked Saints isn’t just about blood magic, gods, and dark fantasy vibes. (Though, let’s be real, those are pretty amazing!) This book plunges into some deep, thought-provoking themes that’ll stick with you long after you’ve closed it. (And maybe leave you questioning everything… in the best way.)
- Power and Corruption: Ah, power—tricky little thing, isn’t it? In Wicked Saints, power isn’t just a tool; it’s a test. The characters wrestle with how far they’re willing to go and what they’re willing to sacrifice to achieve their goals. Spoiler: the lines between good and evil get very messy. (Think, “Am I rooting for the villain right now?” kind of messy.)
- Faith and Doubt: Faith plays a huge role in this story, but it’s not your typical “blind devotion” kind of faith. Oh no, these characters have questions—big ones. Can they trust their gods? Do those divine forces even deserve loyalty? And what happens when belief starts to crack under pressure? (Spoiler: Drama. Lots of it.)
- Loyalty and Betrayal: Loyalty here is like a thread pulled too tight—it’s always on the verge of snapping. Characters are torn between personal beliefs, alliances, and the ever-elusive “greater good.” Let’s just say there’s betrayal, heartbreak, and some very tough choices. (Pro tip: Don’t get too attached.)
- Sacrifice: Nobody gets through this story unscathed. Every victory comes at a cost, and boy, does it hurt. Characters are constantly asking themselves: “How much am I willing to give up?” Lives, love, humanity—it’s all on the table. (And you’ll feel every gut punch along the way.)
- Heroism in Shades of Gray: Forget shiny, perfect heroes. In Wicked Saints, even the good guys are tangled in lies and manipulation. The book really makes you think: Can true heroism exist in a world built on deceit? Or is everyone just playing their own angle? (Spoiler: It’s complicated.)
Wicked Saints is a dark, twisty tale that doesn’t just entertain—it challenges you to think about power, belief, and the messy moral gray areas in between. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind, whispering questions long after you’ve turned the last page. (And honestly, who doesn’t love a book that makes you think?)
Overall Impression
Wicked Saints is the kind of dark, delicious fantasy that keeps you turning pages well past bedtime (don’t say I didn’t warn you). If you love morally messy characters who make terrible decisions you can’t help but root for and a world so detailed you can practically feel the snow crunching under your boots, this one’s for you.
As the first book in The Noble’s Curse series, it sets the bar sky-high with its breakneck pacing, gut-punch stakes, and gloriously flawed characters who somehow feel like old friends. Trust me, you’ll be hooked.
Who Should Read Wicked Saints?
Wicked Saints is a must-read if you love dark fantasy with complex characters, political intrigue, and magical systems that are as dangerous as they are beautiful. Fans of The Grisha Trilogy and The Shadows Between Us will find much to love here.
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