Wicked Like a Wildfire by Lana Popović is a slow-burn YA fantasy rooted in rich folklore, exploring the lives of twin sisters bound by magical heritage and a family curse. This atmospheric coming-of-age novel offers a lyrical, immersive experience for readers who love fantasy steeped in cultural myth and emotional depth.
Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
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Bookish Essentials
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Paranormal / Magical Realism / Folklore / Female Empowerment
Series: Book 1 of Wicked Like a Wildfire (2 Books)
Reading Age: 14+
Published: 2018
Pages: 432
Reading Order: 1) Wicked Like a Wildfire, 2) Fierce Like a Firestorm
Read Wicked Like a Wildfire Now or Eventually?
Wicked Like a Wildfire is a must-read now for fans of vivid, immersive writing that paints every scene in rich detail. It’s especially perfect for readers who love folklore-based YA fantasy with a deep sense of atmosphere and magic. If you’re less focused on detailed, atmospheric storytelling but still enjoy folklore-inspired YA themes, this one’s worth saving for later—it’s a timeless story that will reward readers whenever they’re ready to tackle it.
From the Jacket of Wicked Like a Wildfire
“Lush. Delicious. Bewildering. And darkly magical. Popovic has created a world that you tumble into from the very first words and wish you could stay in forever.” —Evelyn Skye, author of The Crown’s Game
“Wicked Like a Wildfire was like devouring a succulent fairy fruit—it will rob your time, settle into your dreams, and leave you starving for more.” —Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen
Fans of Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo will be bewitched by Lana Popovic’s debut YA fantasy novel about a bargain that binds the fates—and hearts—of twin sisters to a force larger than life.
All the women in Iris and Malina’s family have the unique magical ability or “gleam” to manipulate beauty. Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscope visions into glasswork, while Malina interprets moods as music. But their mother has strict rules to keep their gifts a secret, even in their secluded sea-side town. Iris and Malina are not allowed to share their magic with anyone, and above all, they are forbidden from falling in love.
But when their mother is mysteriously attacked, the sisters will have to unearth the truth behind the quiet lives their mother has built for them. They will discover a wicked curse that haunts their family line—but will they find that the very magic that bonds them together is destined to tear them apart forever?
Wicked Like a Wildfire is the first in a two-book series. Readers will be rapt with anticipation for the sequel.
Always Eventually Review
I’m a bit torn about this slow-burn YA fantasy, Wicked Like a Wildfire, because I absolutely fell in love with the story, the characters—especially Iris—and the overall message. But I often struggled with the pacing. Popović is a talented writer and a master at crafting ornate, lyrical prose. While I admire her ability and style, I found the book a bit dense at times. Ultimately, I strongly recommend Wicked Like a Wildfire because it’s a beautiful story filled with strong women and a deep meditation on identity, self-expression, and the power of female choice.
In a quiet Montenegrin town, twin sisters Iris and Malina hide their magical gifts, part of a mysterious family curse central to this folklore-inspired YA fantasy. Forbidden by their mother to ever use their magic, the sisters are thrust into danger when their mother is brutally attacked. They’re forced to uncover long-buried family secrets and claim their magic—or risk losing everything.
The story is genuinely compelling, especially in the way it explores the complex relationship between the sisters and their mother, Jasmina, against the backdrop of an ancient folklore fantasy curse. She’s overbearing—sometimes even cruel, particularly toward Iris—which made me eager to understand their dynamic. But just as a rare moment of tenderness passes between mother and daughter, Jasmina is violently attacked, leaving her girls to uncover the truth about their lineage on their own.
The sisters also have two close friends, Luca and Niko (Nikoletta), who are siblings and part of the richly developed world that makes this YA fantasy feel immersive. I’ll admit, Niko rubbed me the wrong way at first—her intensity felt a bit abrasive—but as the story unfolds, her fierce loyalty to Malina starts to make more sense. Without giving anything away, there’s a twist that reframes her character and makes her far more endearing.
What I loved most about this slow-burn YA fantasy—and why I think it’s a must-read—is the message at its heart. Wicked Like a Wildfire is ultimately about female agency, the right to make your own choices, and the courage it takes to reclaim a voice that’s been silenced. It’s a beautiful, powerful story that lingers long after the final page.
Books like Wicked Like a Wildfire
If you enjoy slow-burn YA fantasies with folklore elements and strong female leads, you might also like:
- Forgotten Cove, by T.G. Elsher
- The Bone Charmer, by Breeana Shields
- These Vengeful Witches, by Vanessa Montalban
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