So I’ve started these books because it seems like they’ve gotten a lot of attention from the YA-Fantasy fandom since the first book, Wicked Saints, released in 2019. Heck, even the monthly subscription box, Owlcrate, has made their own exclusive editions (pictured above) for us readers to enjoy! It’s been said that this trilogy is perfect for those that shipped Alina Starkov and the Darkling from Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy, and it was that comparison that had me sold to dig into these, and not just because of the gorgeous covers!

Here’s the blurb of book #1, Wicked Saints:

A girl who can speak to gods must save her people without destroying herself…

A prince in danger must decide who to trust…

A boy with a monstrous secret waits in the wings…

Together, they must assassinate the king and stop the war.

In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, their three paths entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light.

My book reviews are coming soon!

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Here’s my official Fancast/Dreamcast:

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Serefin Meleski: Christian Balic, or Tomas Skoloudik

In my honest opinion, both of these models have the look of the Tranavian Prince who attacks Nadya’s monastery in the very first chapter of Wicked Saints, but is just so tired of war. He’s an interesting character, plus he’s snarky with the dark hair/light eyes combo, so is anyone really surprised that I love him?

Ostyia: Marcella Tanaya

This model from Indonesia has been a top fancast name for Amren from author Sarah J. Maas’s bestselling series A Court of Thorns and Roses, but I think she also makes a great choice to play Serefin’s second in command. Her looks alone can kick some serious ass!

Kacper: Mena Massoud

The face of the live-action Disney favorite, Aladdin, this actor once mentioned how he hasn’t found much work since that film released, so maybe he’d find a role as Serefin’s buddy if they decided to make Wicked Saints into a movie?

Anna: Billie Lourd

The daughter of the late Carrie Fischer, I’ve loved her ever since she’s joined the recurring cast of American Horror Story, plus she’s been in the show Scream Queens, and the recent film, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Rashid: Flamur Ukshini

Flamur is a gorgeous Instagram model who was discovered because of his uncanny resemblance to former One Direction singer, Zayn Malik. To keep things not so mainstream, lets pick this model instead to play the Akolan who befriended Malachiasz.

Parijanham: Shiva Negar

She was most notably seen in the Vince Flynn novel-turned-movie American Assassin, and I think she’d be a great pick for the role of the strong and brave female Akolan in the series.

King Izak Meleski: Mark Strong

To be honest, I’m not too familiar with this actor or any movies he’s been in, but another book-blog (booksrealwhenshared) fancasted him as the King of Tranavia, and after I’d met the character in the book myself, I could definitely agree with their choice of actor! I also totally agree with their similar casting of Mena Massoud as Kacper!

Zaneta: Meaghan Rath

This actress has been in shows like the Hawaii 5-0 remake, Being Human, and she’s guest starred on two of my favorite shows: New Girl and Schitt’s Creek!

Nadya Lapteva: Elle Evans, Sophie Turner, or Jennifer Lawrence

I would be happy with any of these three gorgeous blondes being our MC of this gothic YA Fantasy trilogy. Elle is a model that just fits the physical descrption of Nadya, Sophie does too and was an amazing Sansa Stark in HBO’s Game of Thrones, and maybe the odds are ever in Jennifer Lawrence’s favor if she wanted the role if this book was ever turned into a movie!

Malachiasz: Nicholas Hoult, or Arthur Gosse

Malachiasz was easily the hardest character to cast for these books! I couldn’t find anyone who perfectly matched the physical description of my favorite character, so I’d be more than okay if either of these two men were to be casted as him; let’s just slap a long-haired wig on them and call it good! Nicholas Hoult is an extremely versatile actor who I adore; he’s been in movies like Warm Bodies, Mad Max: Fury Road, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, and Tolkien.

So, there you have it! Now this is a fancasting made only based off the first book, so I’m sure there will be other notable characters that appear later on that I haven’t personally met yet. Be sure to check back, as I will add more characters as I continue to read the series!

Thanks for Reading!

— Nick Goodsell