'Nectar of the Wicked (Deadly Divine Duet #1)' by Ella Fields - Review

Nectar of the Wicked
Deadly Divine Duet #1
Ella Fields

Publisher: Self-Published

Pub Date: July 12th, 2023
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Genre: Fantasy Romance, Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
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Synopsis:

There is no escaping the middle lands, the gloomy buffer between the human kingdom and the faerie realms. When my guardian is killed by the Wild Hunt after waiting twenty years to trade me for her human daughter, I’m left with no choice but to try.

To find those who discarded me at birth, I must sneak into Faerie.

But my deceased guardian left more than scars upon my heart. Debts are owed to the madam at the Lair of Lust, and I’m forced to repay them.

My first client is a faerie king who offers to give me everything I’ve always wanted. The king will take me to Faerie if I make a blood vow to marry him. A collection of sweltering meetings fool me into believing his reasons for choosing me to be his queen—a changeling without so much as a name.

For upon my arrival in his kingdom, I receive the answers I’ve craved and the truth behind his motives.

My wonder and infatuation for the king and his wintry realm are snuffed by hatred and fear. Though loathing him is futile when venomous words and spiteful games only prove to excite him. Once again, I’m trapped. This time, with an enemy I cannot hide from. One with enough heat in his eyes to melt my resolve, and enough power at his frosted fingertips to accomplish his sinister goals.

To survive all I’ve discovered, not only will I need to unearth King Florian’s dead heart—I will need to guard my own before he tricks it, too.

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I honestly do not know where to begin with this book, but to say that I loved it. 'Nectar of the Wicked' by Ella Fields is both shockingly dark at times.. and a delicious romp at others. 

This author is one to watch. She's adept at layers. Layers of emotion.. layers of deceit.. layers of conflict.. both internal and external.

While the main character is terribly naive throughout the story, she's depicted in a way that it makes sense. Rather than feeling she's just making dumb decisions and being annoyed by her.. I found myself genuinely sympathizing with her. Hurting for her in ways I did not expect.

Her betrothed.. the wicked fae.. is the darkest shade of morally grey. He's also probably the most seductive, domineering male character I've read in years. Even when he's being an outright beast, it's no wonder she struggles to defy him properly.

The story is heavily plot driven with plenty of context as to how and why everyone has found themselves at the point they're at in the tale. There is deep character development.. relationship development.. and not a moment of downtime. I did not want to stop reading this book, even when I had things I needed to do.

Not only does the author write great story, she also writes elaborate steamy scenes. Nothing is awkward in the dynamic between her characters that isn't plainly meant to be. It doesn't matter if the scene is days long or just a few minutes in story time, it never becomes boring. There is passion and connection.. for better or worse. There is visceral spice and moments of something suspiciously close to tenderness. Even her dialogue is great and that's probably the thing I complain about the most in modern writing.

One of my favorite things about Fields, is she's not afraid to go hard. There were times, one in particular, where I thought someone would be spared something terrible.. and they absolutely were not. In fact, the scene was detailed with exquisite slowness. I was both horrified and completely absorbed. I cannot say it enough.. I love an author who does not hold back.

That being said, you might want to check trigger warnings before picking this up if you are sensitive to violence, consent issues, etc. 

Personally, I cannot wait for book two. There is a bit of a cliffhanger, but it's at a reasonable point and I went right to Amazon to order my copy. If you like steamy fantasy, intense enemies to lovers tropes, and twisty storytelling.. give this one a try. You will not be disappointed.