This book started off promising but sadly it didn’t live up to my expectations.

It was glittery, glamorous and gothic, and the first couple of chapters got me really excited, however, the lack of plot, poor characterisation and dialogue really let it down.

The writing certainly was beautiful in places, but I often felt it was disjointed and very repetitive, leaving me feel confused.

Nothing of note really happens in the novel’s 400+ pages, and for this reason I would not be encouraged to pick up a sequel.

That being said, I didn’t hate it, so I’m giving of a middle of the road 3 stars.

This book has such a great premise - post-war bootleg magic - and really explores the tragic feeling of desperation in those times. It starts with quite striking Great Gatsby parallels, but gradually steps away from that to focus on its speculative elements, with an atmosphere of claustrophobia. I do think the plot ends up feeling very familiar, in a way that is somewhat comforting, although I think I would have loved the book to really lean into the "Roaring Twenties" magic of it all, and what that might mean. Annie, Emmeline, and their relationship have lots of potential (with Annie's anxiety, Emmeline's past, and their mysterious bond) and I do really like them, but I think I just needed a little more development to really love them. All in all, a charming and at points haunting story with potential for expansion.

(Review to be posted on Goodreads in week of release)

Magical and historical. I love the witchcraft genre but this is a new one for me being set in the 1920s/30s.
Really enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

This is one of those books where I can imagine some people absolutely loving it but, unfortunately, I was not one of them. It's got a beautiful cover, though,

The basic premise of Wild and Wicked Things is that it's set on an island off the east coast of England, though at times I noticed what I thought were some Americanisms sneaking in even though the author is apparently English. Anyway, this is a world where magic was heavily used in World War II (but apparently only by the Germans?) and, as a result, is now heavily monitored and restricted, as well as being socially unacceptable. Crow Island, where our story is set, seems to be a bit of a grey area for this, with both legal faux magic and illicit real magic rubbing shoulders.

For me, alas, the story of the use of magic around relationships didn't manage to hold my interest past around the halfway mark and I just couldn't sustain the will to keep going.

In Wild and Wicked Things we follow Annie, who arrives on Crow Island following the death of her estranged father. She is tasked with sorting out his estate and has hopes of re-connecting with her childhood best friend Bea who in the aftermath of WW1 has fled to the island and cut off communication with her.

Upon arrival Annie settles into a cosy cottage but things take a magical turn when she meets her neighbours, Emmeline, Isabel and Nathan and she is inextricably drawn to their decadent and magical lifestyles. But things aren't as straightforward and glamorous as Annie hopes and she soon finds herself entangled in world of secret witch societies, blood magic and resurrections.

Overall I enjoyed the story, I thought the setting and and atmosphere were wonderfully described and the characters, who at times were morally grey and a little self obsessed captured the period perfectly. Very Gatsbyesque.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for the chance to read Wild and Wicked things.

I love books about witchcraft and this definitely didnt disappoint. I loved the writing, I loved the story premise it was so intriguing and I loved the setting of thr magical crow island. The characters were well developed and interesting, I really enjoyed reading this book.

Perfectly decent book,about magic and witches,and with a beautiful cover that will make you want to pick it up and admire it.
Some decent characters ,and some good storyline.

But good and decent were as far as it went for me,and I never felt fully drawn in,or was in a rush to get back to it.

This book is set in an alternative history where magic is outlawed, but still exists, especially on Crow Island. I enjoyed the book and really loved the cover. The book has everything it promises, witchery and magic expecially. Annie is a well drawn character in particular. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.