A Disappointing Read: Wicked Misfits Falls Flat

I picked up Wicked Misfits with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, but the glowing reviews from bloggers and high ratings on LiveLib kept me hooked. So, I decided to give it a shot, and I'm glad I did - at least for the first week. I ended up reading this medium-sized story over two months, and I was hooked from start to finish. The writing was engaging, and I found myself not wanting to put the book down, even when I was supposed to be doing other things. But, as the days went by, the excitement wore off, and I was left with a dull, unfulfilling read.

Wicked Misfits. Faust GreenWhere I bought it

Store: Litres.

Cost: Free with my subscription.

About the book

Year of publication: 2025

Age restriction: 16+

Number of pages: 356

Plot:

In a world where something's off, humans and non-humans alike are powerless against an unknown evil. But the Vatican has a recipe for this sickness.

Father Nicholas is a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. He's supposed to pray, forgive sins, and protect his flock – including magical creatures living in modern cities.

The Twenty-Third is a demon stuck in a monk's body. He's supposed to study human life, attend Mass, and annoy priests – especially Father Nicholas.

Now, these two are forced to put aside their differences and embark on a long and perilous journey. But first, they need to not kill each other.

Wicked Misfits. Faust GreenThe book comes in a standard hardcover with an eye-catching cover. I loved the abundance of small illustrations throughout the story, which are also included in the e-book version. That's always a plus, as it adds to the story's atmosphere. The illustrations are reminiscent of a dark, gothic fairy tale, which sets the tone for the rest of the book.

The chapter divisions are convenient, with each chapter being large enough to read in one sitting, but not so long that you get lost. The book is also divided into several parts, with the action unfolding in different countries, including Russia. I appreciated the way the author wove together the different storylines, creating a sense of tension and anticipation.

A Refreshingly Dark Read. Faustus GreenI was drawn in by the chapter titles, which not only included text but also an 'Arcan' element, hinting at the connection to Tarot cards. It added an extra layer of interest to the story. However, as the book progressed, I found myself getting lost in the complexity of the plot.

My Takeaways

By the second chapter, I couldn't shake the feeling that this story reminded me of something. After some thought, I realized it was similar to 'Timyan and Klevir'. The main difference was that the main character in that story was a fairy, while here it's a demon. And the second protagonist, who seemed like a straightforward human, turned out to be more complex than I initially thought.

The storytelling style is also similar. In 'Timyan and Klevir', the friends run a detective agency, and the story unfolds through a series of small cases that eventually come together to form a larger narrative. Here, two priests are dealing with 'monsters', and the story is presented in a similar way, with individual tales that merge into one big story. However, while 'Timyan and Klevir' had a distinct atmosphere and a sense of character, this book falls flat.

A Refreshingly Dark Read. Faustus GreenThat's where the similarities end, though. While 'Timyan and Klevir' had a sense of momentum and dynamics, this book is a dull read with no real excitement or tension. The demon, disguised as a priest, should be an interesting and captivating character, but instead, it comes across as a dull imitation trying to be funny but ending up preachy.

A Refreshingly Dark Read. Faustus GreenI was worried that the book would be too focused on religion, but fortunately, that's not the case. The priests' roles are mostly limited to their dialogue, and even then, it's not overwhelming. However, there are some instances where the characters' actions don't quite match their personalities, like when the Twenty-Third periodically feels the urge to confess, which seems out of character and even borderline blasphemous to me. A major letdown. Faust GreenOne thing that really stood out to me was how many plot holes there are. They're just left dangling, without any explanation. I mean, you're supposed to just figure it out for yourself. And don't even get me started on the ending. It's like they tried to tie everything up with a bow, but left a gaping hole for a potential sequel.

Faust Green overallThe highs

Positives:

1. The cover art is really nice.

2. The main characters are pretty unique, at least at first glance.

Faust Green overallThe lows:

1. It's mind-numbingly boring.

2. There are way too many plot holes.

3. The ending is completely unsatisfying.

4. The characters are paper-thin.

I regret giving in to the recommendations and reading this book. So, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It's just not worth the time.