This was one of most anticipated releases for 2023, but I think my expectations were too high because as much as I wanted to love it...I didn't. The Wicked Bargain should've been a slam dunk for me. Latinx, fantasy, with a non-binary mc, adventure, and romance. (Truly all my favorite elements to have in a book!) Everything the book gave me, I just wanted more. I really liked the first half but then when it came to the second half, it just didn't keep me as engaged, and was nowhere near as enjoyable. (Dare I say..cringey?) I think also having Vico Ortiz narrate the audio book had those expectations in the stratosphere. (And I wonder if I would like it more if I had listened to that instead)
I never really felt like the setting was on a pirate ship. I wish more research had been done into sailing, and boat lingo so that it would have felt more pirate-y and not just a general non descript location.
I really thought that Mar was going to end up with

Dami, the chemistry and level of attraction was focused on so much more than their relationship with Bas.

Most of the dialogue and interactions with Bas there seems to be more of a sibling dynamic, I didn't feel half the chemistry and vibes that I felt with Mar and Dami.
Found family is really stressed, but I didn't feel like the relationships were really shown for Mar fitting in and finding a new home. Most of the characters still seemed to regard them with some sense of disregard, and it didn't feel like a "home" at all. (For example,

the captain never speaks to them with respect or treats them with any sense of comfort.)

 
I never felt like any of the characters were in danger. I wish there were more tense moments, and for there to have been a worry that someone could get hurt or die. I felt it so extremely unnecessary for Bas and Mar to have ended up in

jail twice.

It could have easily just been once and would have made the story more streamlined with less unnecessary content. I was just kinda like...oh okay they're just going to escape again?
Again strong first half, and then it really fell off the second. I almost wish that Mars' magic was focused on either fire or ice, because it honestly felt very dual elemental-omg they can control opposite elements-we've seen this before-kinda moment. (Cringe was here and also with the overtly happy ending, give me some angst dammit!) 
The ending felt very neatly wrapped up, too much so. It all happened so quickly, with again nothing happening that made me feel like the characters were in any danger, there wasn't any pay off.
TLDR: Not pirate-y enough, pacing issues, loved the diversity, lack of chemistry hurt relationships, no real danger at any time
I take a lot of the blame for not enjoying this. I wanted so bad to love it, getting fellow Latinx enby rep isn't common, and I was so thrilled to read The Wicked Bargain I was first in line at the library when it came in. I think if I was less excited and hyped to read it, I would have liked it more. (Sometimes low expectations are a good thing)
All this being said, I do recommend this book! A good read for lovers of diverse queer fantasy.