A Rivals to Lovers Dark Fantasy Romance by Emily Blackwood
Author: Emily Blackwood
Series: Golden City, Book 1
Release Date: January, 12th 2024
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 1.5
Official Description:
Huntyr has fought for survival her entire life. Raised under Lord, the master of assassins in Midgrave, she has spent over twenty years learning to kill the blood-hungry, depraved vampyres that lurk in the darkness. Huntyr is the most lethal fae in the kingdom, which is why Lord chooses her to complete the next mission. Huntyr must survive Moira Seminary and make it into The Golden City—the mysterious elite society of the few remaining angels and the magic fae who live in luxury with no crime, no poverty, and certainly no vampyres.
Only when she arrives at the academy, she’s forced to room with Wolf—the terrifying fallen angel who happens to know her assassin identity. Determined to keep her head down in Moira, Huntyr tries her best to ignore Wolf. Over time, though, he not only becomes the only person she can lean on, but the one who might keep her alive through the life-threatening tests to get into The Golden City.
A wolf and his huntress. An academy designed to break them. Huntyr will do anything to please the assassin master, but Wolf begins to test her in ways she never imagined. Is she strong enough to stick to the mission? Or will new truths—and alliances—put everything at risk? Wings So Wicked is a new adult fantasy romance with fae, vampyres, fallen angels, magical trials, fierce main characters, dark themes, forced proximity, 'who did this to you' moments, possessive males, rivals to lovers, elite societies, hidden identities, and so much more. Readers who love academy settings, main characters riddled with darkness, angst, and slow burn romances will devour this story!
Warning : This article might contain spoilers !!
#1: First thoughts wings so wicked emily blackwood
Wings so Wicked, written by Emily Blackwood, initially presented a challenge for me. The first third of the book had me questioning whether I should continue, encountering stereotypical phrases ("she would fight until her very last breath with her chin held high.") that hinted at potential filler material. However, with its manageable length of around 380 pages, I decided to press on and delve into the intriguing world Blackwood crafted.
The story revolves around Huntyr, a 24-year-old fae orphan, raised and trained by a mysterious character known as Lord to become a lethal vampire assassin, in short: a Phantom. Sent by Lord on a dangerous mission to enter the exclusive Golden City, she must navigate the treacherous Academy, Moira Seminary, facing deadly challenges. As to Lord's motive for sending Huntyr? That remains a mystery, leaving a sense of uncertainty and confusion.
#2: Relationship Dynamics & Romance
A major issue for me was the romanticized portrayal of Lord, despite clear instances of abuse toward Huntyr. The protagonist's acceptance and understanding of the punishment as a form of protection and training strained the credibility of her character. This aspect made it difficult for me to fully invest in Huntyr's journey.
As Huntyr enters the Academy, the introduction of Wolf, a fallen angel, attempts to establish an immediate insta-love dynamic that I struggled to resonate with. The lack of genuine interaction and authentic banter made it challenging to believe in the immediate tension between the characters. Huntyr's immature behavior and Wolf's intense protective demeanor felt forced, leaving the romantic subplot lacking in authenticity.
In terms of steamy elements, the introduction of sexual tension promised potential, culminating in a spicy scene towards the end of the book, but the lack of an authentic connection between Huntyr & Wolf left too much room for improvement. I really hope that the subsequent books will offer a more genuine and enjoyable romance.
#3: Inconsistencies & Final thoughts
First of all, why is Lord called Lord? Is that his name or his title? I found that super confusing that there was literally no backstory on him.
I noticed that Huntyr's character bore similarities to Aelin from Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series, both being trained assassins undergoing trials while concealing their identities and downplaying their skills. Additionally, Wolf's resemblance to Hunt from the Crescent City series added a sense of déjà vu which was a bit disappointing as it took away from the uniqueness of the story.
There were also a lot of inconsistencies in Huntyr's character, described as fearless yet panicking at the slightest scream. Despite being described as a formidable fighter, she loses her battle in training sessions, needs to be rescued on multiple occasions and jumps at the chance to enter a bond with another contestant in order to survive the last challenge.
I was also surprised by the amount of betrayal that took place in the book. The first betrayal by Lanson who at the first risk of danger leaves her to die and turns from a kind and loving character to a broody and revenge-seeking macho. As if that wasn't enough, we have to witness a double-betrayal by Wolf, again contradicting his character portrayal. Why would he be willing to protect Huntyr at every turn, why open up to her, show vulnerabilities and show his feelings towards her so early on if he has ulterior motives? Also didn't he admit to his grudge towards his father who gruesomely forced him to turn into a vampire? Why then crossing Huntyr if he is in love with her and hates his father?
How was that saying? Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
I can live with one betrayal, even if it hurts. But to see it twice - especially after both Huntyr & Wolf were literally willing to die for each other - and then witness Huntyr's willingness to forgive and rescue him, yet again, was very confusing. It seems that their biggest common denominator is their willingness to please their abuser. Maybe that is what unknowingly attracted them towards each other.
Despite the initial challenges with Wings so Wicked, I felt that the plot picked up by the second half of the book with increased tension and mystery. While the book has its flaws, I was still compelled to finish the story, leaving me curious about the sequel. I genuinely hope that the story and the characters will evolve in the next instalment which is to due be released July, 31st 2024.
Overall, Wings so Wicked is a mix of fantasy elements with a bit of déjà vu, but it's got potential. It’s a journey worth taking, flaws and all, and who knows, maybe the sequel will hit the sweet spot.
If you liked this review of Wings so Wicked or have any questions or comments, let me know !
Disclaimer: I have added an affiliate link for your convenience so you can directly purchase the book if you are intrigued. This also means that I will receive small commission. This does not affect inclusion in my reviews or the overall rating of the book.
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