Title: The Wicked and the Dead
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

It did take me a little while to get into this novel. More so because there is a lot of background information that needs to be shown before you can really get into all of the battles that Gen is facing. And, sometimes, that can be a bit to wade through. However, once you get all of the bits and pieces of the backstory sorted in your head – it’s a freaking amazing novel. I think about three chapters in, I got to the point (and quickly) that I just didn’t want to put this book down. A seriously amazing story, and I can’t wait to keep going further down the rabbit hole that is this series.

I love that Gen is a half witch, half vampire-ish creature. The mix itself lends to different challenges, but the fact that there are so many things that Gen herself doesn’t know? It’s a fun journey of self-discovery to embark on with her. Plus, she’s literally a half-dead being whose power comes from nature, life and the living (or at least the witch half). And she has blue hair, which for some reason I absolutely love (maybe a bit of a reflection on the days when I had blue hair and the type of care free times that reminds me of). I can’t wait to see how much her powers grow in the future books.

Sometimes I want to read a series that has no love interest, or introduces one quite late to the party. I enjoyed that Eli was obviously the love interest from the very first moment. Plus, he is a really great match, just content to work with Gen and wait for her. He’s a great partner – patient and loyal, and in love with who Gen is, not who she could be. Although, that isn’t to say that he isn’t just as powerful and intimidating as Gen – he’s fae. And he plays all of the fae games and makes the bargains that you would anticipate. Luckily they are often (in a roundabout way) to the benefit of Gen.

Finally, as part of the supporting cast, there are Gen’s friends. They are the actual best tribe I’ve read about in a while. They all know about her fucked up lineage – and just accept her. Gen is a little ignorant of just how truly wonderful and loyal her friends are, but it’s still a fun little journey. And the times that they indicate their discomfort with her chosen career… it’s because they care about her. And, well, basically aren’t keen on Gen dying… which I feel like is going to be a close call multiple times throughout this series.