So apparently what my TBR was missing was this masterpiece of a book where emotional manipulation is literal and political assassinations come with a side of enemies-to-lovers tension. Who knew?

In ‘Something Wicked’ we get tension brewing, heart melting, feet kicking romance that will sweep you off the floor. One of the sexiest books I’ve read this year and make no mistake that it will have you turning red.

The world is lush, the vibes are Immaculate. The slow-burn? Steamy and sharp enough to cut glass. It’s all high drama, rich atmosphere, and a plot that twirls like a dancer in a red corset with a dagger strapped to her thigh. TRUST, when I say this a MUST read. Yes, I do give this a 4 star mostly because it wasn’t what I was expecting and for some reason I assumed it was YA which is my fault when it’s not. But absolutely worth it still.

And id you love:
- Morally gray romance
- Magical courtesans with terrifying emotional power
- “I hate you but also can’t stop touching you” energy
- Murder but make it Moulin Rouge

Then you need to pick this up IMMEDIATELY👏👏

It’s a charming enough read if you’re looking for something light with a paranormal twist. Just don’t expect anything too groundbreaking.
The chemistry between the characters was there, and Ballard’s writing style is engaging, but the pacing felt off. Some parts dragged while others moved too quickly, making it hard to stay fully invested in the story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such a fun read! The book felt fresh and different, and I really enjoyed the unique magic system. It was fascinating how everyone’s powers varied so much—it made the world feel rich and full of possibilities.

The pacing was fast, which I appreciated. The author did a great job of relaying information quickly while keeping everything relevant and engaging. I also loved that the MMC was a redhead with curly hair—such a refreshing change from the usual tall, dark, and handsome book boyfriends we often see.

The chemistry between the FMC and MMC was absolutely electrifying. There was a lot of spice, but it was well-balanced. Often, books with heavy spice can feel overwhelming, and I find myself skimming. But in this case, there was enough meaningful content and character development in between the spicy scenes that it never felt excessive.

What stood out the most for me was the book’s positive and empowering portrayal of sex work. The use of Catherine’s power—and the idea of healing through sex—was incredibly powerful and creative. It added depth and meaning to the story in a way I didn’t expect.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it!

3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Darkly enchanting, but a few missteps kept it from greatness
🖤✨🔥

Something Wicked is one of those books that immediately catches your attention with its premise!
Moulin Rouge meets Macbeth? Yes, please!
The setting of La Puissance is a lush, sultry, theatrical dream, and the vibes are immaculate from page one. The emotional weight, magic system, and tension between the leads make this a binge worthy read.

Cate, the FMC, stood out because she was flawed, powerful, vulnerable, and yet resilient in a way that felt raw and honest.
Her emotional strength carried the story, and I was invested in her arc from the beginning. The fated mates trope paired with the high-stakes glamour gave this a unique edge in the fantasy romance space.

That said, I had mixed feelings about Callum, the MMC. While his devotion and “sad prince” energy grew on me, some of his earlier views felt out of step with the weight of the topics explored. His arc didn’t quite land for me, and I wish the story had allowed more time to explore those ideological shifts in a believable way, beyond emotional longing and a few steamy scenes (which were very well written, to be fair..)

Still, for fans of steamy fantasy romance with an emotional center, Something Wicked has a lot to offer!!
I’ll probably keep an eye out for what this author writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was fun! I really enjoyed the fantasy setting and was intrigued by the magic and how it worked. I would recommend this to romantasy fans as the spice was top tier as well! I was a bit confused by some of the plot, but for the most part I thought this was fun and entertaining.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘯 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘗𝘶𝘵𝘯𝘢𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸

Something Wicked

🖤 Fated Mates
🖤 Macbeth + Moulin Rouge
🖤 Bi FMC
🖤 Prince MMC

I was really excited to pick up this ARC after seeing both the stunning cover and the marketing blip that touted it as a mix of Macbeth and Moulin Rouge!

There were some things I thought were lovely, the main female character was interesting, and I enjoyed her. I really was interested in the magic system, and I truly thought that the chemistry between the FMC and MMC (though I prefer a slower burn) was really well done, and the spice between them was well-written.

Unfortunately, there were a few places I felt a little lacking. Normally I can overlook some pretty large character flaws, but the 'good prince' MMC had some opinions at the beginning of the book that had me thinking, "Wow he is going to have to have a big character arc for me to vibe" and... his opinions changed, but I wasn't convinced. Normally, I don't think this would have been so grating to me, but with how topical some of the ideas are (restriction of bodily autonomy, oppression of a group of people) I needed him to change his mind for reasons beyond one small scene that made him feel a little bad and her giving fantastic head.

That gripe won't be a problem for everyone, but I think encompasses most of my issues with the book - I loved the fast-paced nature of it, but some things needed more time to breathe to be believable.

If you are looking for a spicy romance that is bingeable and touches on Moulin Rouge/Macbeth themes, this still might hit the spot for you!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5

The first chapter of this book instantly had me hooked and wanting to read but overall fell a bit short in the end. I have read other contemporary romances by Falon Ballard that I have really enjoyed so I was very interested in seeing a switch over to romantasy. I will say this book is quite spicy and lacks a lot of the world building and imagery I expect in the fantasy romance genre. I do think a lot of people could enjoy this very unique and compelling story but overall it was a very eh read for me!

Unfortunately, Something Wicked didn’t really work for me. I struggled to get into the story, mainly because the romance felt rushed and unrealistic.

Okay, so the vibes? Immaculate. A seductive courtesan, a forbidden murder, a kingdom in chaos… it should’ve been everything. But y’all, I was lost. The world building was barely there. I kept waiting for the pieces to click, but instead I was stuck wondering how this society even worked or why things were happening the way they were.

And the magic? Cool idea, but it didn’t feel fleshed out at all. I wanted to be swept away in the romance and danger, but I never felt grounded in the story. There’s potential here for something wild and dark and addictive, but it needed more time to breathe.

It had its moments, but overall it just didn’t hit for me. Giving it 2 stars and gently putting it back on the shelf.

DO Judge A Book by its Cover!!! Hooked from the cover and so worth it. The best romantasy read of the year.

I’ve loved this author’s contemporary romance books, so I was curious (and slightly skeptical) going into this fantasy romance. But wow! This was Moulin Rouge meets fantasy in the absolute best way. I need it adapted into a movie immediately!

Things I loved:

• Callum (the MMC): He’s a little bit of a simp... and I loved every second of it. We love a man who is emotionally tortured and utterly devoted.
• Cate (the FMC): One of the most compelling heroines I’ve read in a while. Her power isn’t physical, but emotional—and the way she holds her own, even with such vulnerability, was masterfully done. Her backstory added depth without slowing the plot.
• The pacing and worldbuilding: Fast-paced without ever feeling rushed. The worldbuilding was clear, not over-complicated, and enhanced the story without bogging it down.
• The chemistry: The spice was so good. It was full of tension, yearning, and heat—everything I look for in a romance.
• The setting: La Puissance as the backdrop gave the whole story a Moulin Rouge–style theatrical flair that I absolutely adored.

I do wish there had been a bit more political intrigue—the revolution and battles felt like background noise compared to the romance—but honestly, the balance worked for me. I'm not someone who needs heavy-handed worldbuilding to enjoy a fantasy. And while this was listed as sci-fi, it definitely read more as fantasy romance to me. I'd recommend avoiding the sci-fi label in marketing moving forward—it could steer the wrong readers away.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC! I would kill for a sequel. This was a 5/5 read for me—fun, sexy, and totally unique.

I didn’t realize that sex was going to be a big part of this book because I went into this blind. Unfortunately I did not finish it due to that, but that is my own fault. The writing was good but with the main character working at a sex parlor was off putting for me. I’m sure others would enjoy this though!

This book was a difficult read and I DNF'd it about 40% of the way (life is just too short). The story itself sounded so fantastic from the description, however the writing was monotonous and dragged the plot so much that it was hard to stay awake.

The characters felt very one-dimensional and monotone, which was a huge letdown as, once, again, the description really drew me in and characters are usually what keeps me reading, however these characters just did not do it for me.

With monotone characters, monotonous writing, and a slow plot that felt like crawling along on hot asphalt, it was just not a good read for me personally.

I liked this book, especially the main characters. They carried the story for me. That said, the second half felt a bit rushed. The beginning was great, but later on, things started moving too fast and didn’t give enough time for everything to properly develop. Still, would recommend overall.

Falon Ballard’s Something Wicked is a bold and seductive entry into the romantasy genre, blending the intrigue of Shakespeare’s Macbeth with the opulence of Moulin Rouge! 

Set in the politically unstable nation of Avon, the story follows Callum, the son of a dethroned king, who must assassinate his father to qualify for the country’s first presidential election. His path crosses with Lady Caterine, a courtesan at La Puissance—a premier sex club—who possesses the magical ability to manipulate emotions during intimate encounters. Their alliance, fraught with mistrust and undeniable attraction, becomes central to the nation’s fate.   

Ballard’s world-building is immersive, with La Puissance serving as a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama. The novel’s strength lies in its complex characters and the tension-filled relationship between Cate and Callum. While some plot elements may feel familiar, the unique setting and emotional depth offer a fresh take on classic themes.  

Something Wicked is the first installment in the Idle Reputations series, promising more intrigue and passion in future volumes. 

For readers seeking a steamy, politically charged fantasy with strong character dynamics, Something Wicked delivers a compelling experience.

Moulin Rougue meets Lady MacBeth, and a gorgeous cover is what initially drew me into wanting to read this story. I felt like the concept was bold, had potential to be a steamy masterpiece.

I felt like I was a little underwhelmed by this story. The spice was great, but ended up becoming monotonous to me and not serving to progress the plot, like I’d hoped it would based on the description.

I also felt a little confused by the political aspect of the story and thought the system was flimsy at best and underdeveloped at worst. It honestly made no sense and made the plot almost too… obvious?

Overall the banter and wit behind the writing was great and I believe I’d love this author in any other genre. But for me. i needed more in order to really hold a candle to the romantasy genre.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this!

This story is well written and, for me, a fun read overall. The magic system is pretty neat (gifted people, kind of like X men mutants!) and the cover is to DIE for - I would put it on my wall as art. A solid 3 star read, which is on the neutral side of positive for me.

A few critiques from my end: the first being the writing style. It does feel younger, like New Adult - not quite YA but not quite Adult. The second is that I was not expecting the Moulin Rouge inspiration to be less inspiration and more following a decent amount of the general plotline as well as character names. It reads like a fan fiction alternative novel for it and Macbeth so I do feel a little disappointed that those things overshadowed some of the unique spins the author did put on the story.

All in all, a good time and I'd read this author again!

This was such a fun and stunningly sex positive fantasy with so many twists and turns in the story. I absolutely adored Cate and Cal’s love story and the concept of gifteds and bonds. The mystery of Lady M and what she’s doing with her gifted army was so intriguing and i wish there had been more exploration of it. Hopefully this will continue as a series we will get to see Cate and Andra’s sister and more of the uprising.

Something Wicked was absolutely fantastic and sexy! The author wrote a story that was so well written I found myself flying through the pages, unable to put the book down, pondering what would happen next. My favorite piece of this entire story was how believable the characters were.

The writing is clear and clean, and very immersive. The book hums along at a good clip, but the pacing makes sure we're given time to breathe between plot-intensifying moments. The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb. I felt absolutely transported and I'm so incredibly glad I was able to read an arc of this story.

3.5 stars

Magic, revolution, and murder. Cate has a magical talent to affect people’s emotions and Callum is reluctantly in need of her services to hold onto his political status. Crazy family dynamics, class struggles, and an intense connection bring the drama.

I enjoyed the dynamics of the main characters and am looking forward to book two to see where the story takes them.

Thank you Falon Ballard and G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing this ARC via NetGalley. Comments and opinions above are my own.

#SomethingWicked #NetGalley