The Wicked City (novel series)

Last updated
The Wicked City
  • The Wicked City
  • The Wicked Redhead
  • The Wicked Widow

Author Beatriz Williams
Genre Historical fiction
Publisher William Morrow and Company
No. of books3

The Wicked City is a historical fiction series by Beatriz Williams consisting of three books: The Wicked City (2017), The Wicked Redhead (2019), and The Wicked Widow (2021).

Contents

The Wicked City (2017)

The Wicked City was published January 17, 2017 by William Morrow and Company.

The Wicked City was generally well received by critics.

Library Journal's Stacey Hayman said The Wicked City is "a smart suggestion for fans of strong female characters, historical fiction, and family sagas." [1]

Katie Noah Gibson, writing for Shelf Awareness , praised Williams's strengths as a historical fiction writing, highlighting how she "evokes the glitter and scandal of Jazz Age New York." [2] Gibson concluded the review by writing, "Williams ratchets up the action on each successive page, leaving readers no choice but to race after Gin as she pursues love, revenge and the perfect stiff drink." [2]

Kirkus Reviews , however, provided a more critical review, noting that "the parallels between the two heroines are underdeveloped, and Ginger’s story is stalled by excessive verbiage designed, apparently, to showcase the author’s fluency in Runyon-speak." They concluded by saying, "Even for a series launch, too much is left dangling." [3]

Booklist also reviewed the novel. [4]

The Wicked Redhead (2019)

The Wicked Redhead was published December 10, 2019 by William Morrow and Company.

The Wicked Redhead was generally well received by critics.

Katie Noah Gibson, writing for Shelf Awareness , wrote that Ginger's "fast-paced, fast-talking adventures will leave readers astounded at her courage and thirsty for the next deliciously wicked romp in this series." [5]

Kirkus Reviews provided a less positive review, calling The Wicked Redhead "a seemingly superfluous sequel." [6] They praised Williams's historical accuracy, mentioning, among other historical notes, that "Ginger’s first-person voice, that of a feisty hillbilly–turned–Manhattan flapper, is authentic enough." [6] However, they claim Ginger's voice feels "a bit stilted, as if too much research had gone into imagining her argot." [6] Similarly, "Ginger’s mental observations," which help to situate the story in a precise time and place, "are recounted with a degree of detail that, while fulfilling its intended effect of re-creating the period and social milieu, does little to advance the story." [6]

Booklist [7] and Library Journal' [8] also reviewed the novel.

The Wicked Widow (2021)

The Wicked Widow was published October 12, 2021 by William Morrow and Company.

Booklist's Emily Borsa said "Series fans will enjoy" the third installment of The Wicked City series. [9]

Related Research Articles

Ashley Little is a Canadian author of both adult and young adult literature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kwame Alexander</span> American writer of poetry and childrens fiction (born 1968)

Kwame Alexander is an American writer of poetry and children's fiction.

<i>El Deafo</i> 2014 graphic novel by Cece Bell

El Deafo is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Cece Bell. The book is a loose autobiographical account of Bell's childhood and life with her deafness. The characters in the book are all anthropomorphic bunnies. Cece Bell, in an interview with the Horn Book Magazine, states "What are bunnies known for? Big ears; excellent hearing," rendering her choice of characters and their deafness ironic.

<i>The Inquisitors Tale</i> Young adult novel by Adam Gidwitz

The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog is a young adult novel written by Adam Gidwitz and illuminated by Hatem Aly, published by Dutton Children's Books in 2016. It is set in medieval France and describes how three magical children meet each other and become outlaws. It was named a Newbery Honor book in 2017.

<i>How to Pronounce Knife</i> 2020 short story collection by Souvankham Thammavongsa

How to Pronounce Knife is a short story collection by Souvankham Thammavongsa, published in 2020 by McClelland & Stewart. The stories in the collection centre principally on the experiences of Laotian Canadian immigrant families, sometimes from the perspective of children observing the world of adults.

<i>Paola Santiago and the River of Tears</i> 2020 middle grade fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears is a 2020 middle grade fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia. It is the first novel in the Paola Santiago series, followed by Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares (2021) and Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows (2022).

Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares is a 2021 middle grade fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia. It is the second novel in the Paola Santiago series, preceded by Paola Santiago and the River of Tears (2020) and followed by Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows (2022).

<i>The Maid</i> (novel) 2022 novel by Nita Prose

The Maid: A Novel is a 2022 murder mystery debut novel by Canadian author Nita Prose.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natasha Farrant (author)</span> British childrens author

Natasha Farrant is a British children's author. In 2020, she won the Costa Book Award for Children's Book for Voyage of the Sparrowhawk.

<i>Bone Gap</i> (novel) 2015 young adult novel by Laura Ruby

Bone Gap is a young adult novel by Laura Ruby, published on March 3, 2015, by Balzer + Bray. It won the 2016 Michael L. Printz Award.

<i>Where the World Ends</i> 2017 young adult novel by Geraldine McCaughrean

Where the World Ends is a 2017 young adult novel by Geraldine McCaughrean and illustrated by Jane Milloy. It won the 2018 Carnegie Medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beatriz Williams</span> American historical fiction writer

Beatriz Williams, who also uses the pseudonym Juliana Gray, is an American historical fiction writer.

<i>The Beach at Summerly</i> 2023 historical fiction novel by Beatriz Williams

The Beach at Summerly is a 2023 historical fiction novel by Beatriz Williams.

<i>A Hundred Summers</i> 2013 historical fiction novel by Beatriz Williams

A Hundred Summers is a 2013 historical fiction novel by Beatriz Williams.

<i>The Summer Wives</i> 2018 historical fiction novel by Beatriz Williams

The Summer Wives is a 2018 historical fiction novel by Beatriz Williams.

The Schuyler Sisters novel series written by Beatriz Williams consists of three books: The Secret Life of Violet Grant (2014), Tiny Little Thing (2015), and Along the Infinite Sea (2015).

<i>The Forgotten Room</i> (novel) 2016 historical fiction novel

The Forgotten Room is a 2016 historical fiction novel by Karen White, Lauren Willig, and Beatriz Williams.

<i>All the Ways We Said Goodbye</i> 2020 historical novel

All the Ways We Said Goodbye is a 2020 historical novel co-written by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White.

<i>We Unleash the Merciless Storm</i> 2020 young adult fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia

We Unleash the Merciless Storm is a 2020 young adult fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia. It is preceded by We Set the Dark on Fire.

<i>Book Lovers</i> 2022 romance novel by Emily Henry

Book Lovers is a 2022 romance novel by Emily Henry.

References

  1. Hayman, Stacey (2016-12-16). "The Wicked City". Library Journal . Archived from the original on 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  2. 1 2 Gibson, Katie Noah (2017-02-07). "The Wicked City". Shelf Awareness . Archived from the original on 2023-01-30. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  3. "The Wicked City". Kirkus Reviews . 2016-11-06. Archived from the original on 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  4. "The Wicked City" . Booklist . 2016-12-01. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  5. Gibson, Katie Noah (2020-01-24). "The Wicked Redhead". Shelf Awareness . Archived from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "The Wicked Redhead". Kirkus Reviews . 2019-10-27. Archived from the original on 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  7. "The Wicked Redhead" . Booklist . 2019-11-15. Archived from the original on 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  8. Whiteley, Julie (2019-11-22). "The Wicked Redhead" . Library Journal . Archived from the original on 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  9. Borsa, Emily (2021-10-08). "The Wicked Widow". Booklist . Archived from the original on 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2023-08-15.