Title: The Wicked and the DamnedAuthor: Rebecca Robinson
Series: Dark Inheritance Trilogy #2
Pages: 416
Publication Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Publisher: Saga Press
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
Synopsis:
In the exhilarating second romantasy novel in Rebecca Robinson’s Dark Inheritance Trilogy, a fiery couple forced apart must navigate a deadly maze of politics and power to reunite across a continent at war.
Torn from her husband Reid’s arms and dragged back to her homeland in chains, Vaasa is no longer a ruler, but a political pawn. Now under the control of Ozik—a cunning Zetyr witch with a stranglehold on her magic—she faces annulment, forced betrothal, and a kingdom that no longer feels like her own. As Ozik’s machinations aim to install himself as the true power behind the Asteryan throne, Vaasa is forced to take part in his game.
Meanwhile, across the continent, Reid is done playing politics. But waging war is never simple, and a soldier’s fury cannot stand up against Icruria’s bureaucracy. With allies fading and time slipping away, Reid may have no choice but to infiltrate Asterya on his own to find the woman he loves and bring her home.
As Vaasa’s magic begins to flare, she desperately seeks control, even if Ozik is the only one who can offer it. She then finds a cryptic final message from her mother about a precious missing necklace might just be the answer to finally freeing her magic from Ozik. Yet when a ghost from Vaasa’s past reemerges among the suitors vying for her hand, escape might be within reach—but will it demand a betrayal that real love may not survive?
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I went into The Wicked and the Damned with high hopes because I really loved The Serpent and the Wolf, the first book in the series. I’m happy to say this sequel absolutely delivered for me. The story picks up right after that cliffhanger ending, and I was instantly pulled back in. The tone is darker and more intense, and there’s never a dull (or safe) moment for Vaasa and Reid.
Vaasa is such a fascinating character. Stripped of her power and control, she is forced back into a court that sees her as nothing more than a bargaining chip, and watching her quietly scheme her way through it all was great. I loved seeing how strategic she becomes as she juggles all of the obstacles in front of her. And she’s so determined to get back to Reid even though another proposal is forced on her.
The story is told through a dual POV between Vaasa and Reid, which I really liked. I always enjoy dual POVs, and it worked really well since the pair is separated for much of the book. It definitely added to the suspense switching between Vaasa as she navigated captivity and torture, political traps, and so many other forces working against her and Reid’s as he fought to get back to Vaasa. They have such a great romance, and even though they were apart for a bit of the story, their chemistry was fantastic.
The world-building is really strong, too. It delves deeper into the magic, the history, and the political turmoil, and the stakes are higher than ever. It felt like every new location and character added another twisty layer to the story, and it was tense! I loved that almost no one could be taken at face value, and you never really knew who you could trust. The intrigue constantly kept me on edge, wondering who was lying, who was using who, and how it would all work out.
Overall, this was an exciting and twisty sequel that I really enjoyed. As the second book in the series, it definitely feels like it’s building toward something epic, and I can’t wait to see how everything unravels in the final installment. Special thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
She had always found solace in knowledge. Knowledge was where power lay.
She would no longer squeeze a stem of thorns for the sake of the flower.
Even slowly, forward is forward.
Memories did not make the pain of loss worse. They made it worthwhile.
By day, Rebecca Robinson works as a high school administrator. By night, she’s an avid reader, writer, and consumer of all things art. When she’s not writing, Rebecca loves to cook, spend time with her husband and son, and lounge in the garden with her husky.
I need to start reading this series! Everyone I know whose read it can’t stop saying good things about it!
Yes! Definitely worth checking out when you’re in the mood for a romantasy.