The Wicked Deep

“The knowing of what’s coming, the death that creeps up over the town like fate clawing at the door of every shop and home. I can feel it in the air, in the spray of the sea, in the hollow spaces between raindrops. The sisters are coming.”

This book took me forever to read. Honestly, it was less than a week, but it felt like forever. And my trend of becoming more disinterested as I read continued here unfortunately. The Wicked Deep showcases how small town secrets and a little bit of danger combine to make an atmospheric and fun read, even though I did have my issues.

Things I Liked
This books is so beautifully constructed visually. The cover, the book naked, the chapter headings - they all help establish this witchy and atmospheric story.

I loved the named chapters that were used intermittently through the story. They were so beautifully atmospheric (are you sensing a theme here) while also helping to establish background and characters.

I really liked the idea of the Swan Season and the dark curse that’s plagued this town for centuries. I like the rule and how the curse operated - they felt logical and grounded which is important for me in a paranormal story.

Things I Didn’t Like
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the romance in the story. It was just a little too much. A little too quickly for me.

I thought the Swan Sisters were a little lacking. I feel like I didn’t know enough about Marguerite and sister #2 (I honestly can’t even remember her name). They felt a lot more like background characters who happened to be involved with the main plot. I also didn’t like Hazel at all. We do actually get to know her more, I feel like we’re supposed to sympathize and connect with her, but I didn’t. I really just didn’t care about the characters in general. Also, I don't think they were witches so that was kinda disappointing.

I was also pretty meh about the ending. I called the big reveal, so it didn’t have an impact or buildup for me. I would have loved for the book to be one chapter shorter. I thought that the chapter “The Harbor” was a solid ending, but the “Land and Sea” the actual last chapter, just highlighted my annoyances and left me on a bit of a sour note.

Once again I wanted to like this story more than I did, but I do think that a lot of people will enjoy this. If you’re in the mood for an atmospheric read, you should definitely pick this up. And I honestly might have liked this more is I wasn’t in a funky reading mood. But The Wicked Deep is story that sweeps you away and carries you on a twisty and dark ride.

I received a copy of the book from the Simon & Schuester via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

In a reversal of the norm, I want to get what I didn't enjoy out of the way first. For about half of The Wicked Deep, I thought I might have to give up. I didn't like Penny Talbot and I especially didn't like her voice as the one through which much of the story was told. But then! Deep into the novel's middle section, matters took a sharp left turn. Instead of struggling I was speeding through every page, my prior difficulties forgotten. It was such a pointed change that I nearly went back to the beginning to re-read what had given me some trouble. I didn't, though, because now I couldn't wait to reach the end and learn how Ernshaw would finish up.

While I try to frontload my reviews with positives, it was important for me to address my struggles first in case new readers encounter them as well. I am so happy I continued on—the things that tried my patience had a narrative purpose which paid off splendidly. And now, moving on to the rest of the review...

The Wicked Deep is much darker than I had expected, perhaps even darker than it acknowledges within the text. Sparrow and its inhabitants treat their circumstances with a chilling degree of resignation; that they manage to profit off an annual flood of tourists for 'Swan season' only compounds the frightful effect. Ernshaw's writing brings out the warring atmospheres of terror and nonchalance. Eschewing any sly winks toward the fantastical, it keeps the curse firmly grounded in reality. The coastal Pacific Northwest is almost a character unto itself, populated with grey drizzle and choppy waves that set a foreboding tone.

Because much of The Wicked Deep depends on mystery for momentum, it's almost impossible to discuss the characters without spoiling some major twists. If you want to know my thoughts just keep reading; otherwise, skip down to the next paragraph!

* * * SPOILER ALERT * * *
Penny felt tremendously underdeveloped until her (repeated) possession by Hazel, the youngest Swan sister, was revealed. (This was the turning point of the novel for me!) After it comes to light that the Penny we met at the start has been smothered and silenced, her thoughts replaced by those of a witch who can access her every memory, the incongruities of the intervening pages make perfect sense. Suddenly the fates of two girls, not one, hang in the balance; stakes double while guaranteeing that one of the two cannot endure. It's a deliciously dark twist that forces you to rethink everything you've read and while I'm hunting for the time to re-read The Wicked Deep, I'm going to applaud Ernshaw for such a bold and satisfying twist.
* * * END SPOILERS * * *

As a window into Sparrow's history, the three Swan sisters jump off the page, colorful and distinct. Their lives unfold through short, entr'acte chapters that elaborate on what we already know: two hundred years ago, they were unjustly drowned as witches. Immortality has changed each girl in different ways. Some relish their yearly vengeance while others have grown weary, yet the only alternative is true and lasting death. Is that any more or less fair than the suffering inflicted on all the future residents of Sparrow? As the story unfolds it's increasingly clear that 'fair' is not necessarily a guiding principle in the case of witches and curses.

Only one thing continued to bother me until the novel's end: The Wicked Deep includes a strong case of insta-love. However, this fairy tale love doesn't necessarily garner a happily ever after (I suspect every reader's feelings will differ on this count). Despite the sudden development, I was pleased that Ernshaw did what was best for the characters rather than taking an easier way out. It still remains one of my least liked tropes, though, and I wish the relationship had developed more gradually.

The Wicked Deep surprised me, and pleasantly so. While I was looking forward to a standard modern fantasy romp, I was instead treated to a dark and twisty tale that unveils a great deal of Ernshaw's confidence as a debut author. Its fog-choked atmosphere fits perfectly with the lingering traces of winter ceding to spring, and should delight genre fans who fear that they've 'read it all before'.

This has got to be one of the most beautiful covers I've seen in a while. I'm sure it's even more so when you're holding the hardback cover in your hands.

So, real talk: when the publisher comps this book to stories like Hocus Pocus, I just have to get my hands on it because that's one of my favorite stories ever. It's not quite up to par with that story because this is so not the story of the Sanderson sisters we know and love and we watch every year on FreeForm (formerly ABC Family).

What this story does involve are three sisters who are accused of being witches based on their power they have over the men in the town. And according to the legend and actual events, these sisters come back to the town and inhabit the souls of actual girls on the island, claiming the lives of young men.

Morbid much? Absolutely. And what I got from reading The Wicked Deep was this weird and quirky little story I did not expect in the least. It's hard to review this one without giving much away but let's just say that I figured out the big twist or reveal pretty early on, given some of the facts that were presented. But that still didn't matter because there are so many mysteries I needed resolving, that I was intrigued to keep reading.

Also, there's something to be said about this being Ernshaw's debut because she is so adept and talented in her world building. Seriously, she's a great writer. But I think everything surrounding the mystery of this island needed to remain so much a secret, I didn't really get invested when it came to the romance, but I did, however, feel the pain and the suffering that came from this town and the big issue it had with a curse for the last 200 years.

Either way, I think everyone should read this one because unlike many books, this one provided so many topics of interest - things like what makes us good, what truly motivates us, or even, why love prompts us to act in uncanny ways - that I'm still thinking about it long after I closed it.

Thank you so much to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I remember reading the first few lines of the synopsis for The Wicked Deep, and thinking how much I need this book. It sounded like it would be amazing. I mean, a curse, revenge, and romance all in one story sounds like it would make for an incredible reading experience, and I am happy to report that it did.

I am going to go all fangirl on this one, because I loved each and every part of this book.

The Characters

It was so easy to care about Penny. I liked her from the first moment we encountered her, and my adoration for her just grew and grew, the more we got to know her. What I found interesting, was how much I cared for the Swan sisters. Ernshaw was able to tell their story in such a way, that I was able to shed some tears for a trio of murders. Good job, Shea Ernshaw!

I must include Sparrow as a character in this book, because the town and all its inhabitants played such a huge role in this story. There was so much happiness, joy, pain, and suffering tied to this town, and I loved the way Ernshaw incorporated it into the story.

The Writing

The writing is so wonderful! I was highlighting passages like crazy, because the prose was so gorgeous, and I just couldn't stop inhaling Ernshaw's words. She magnificently created an atmosphere that was ethereal and lavish and totally wrapped itself around me.

The story is also replete with emotion. The longing, pain, sorrow, and fear just bleed through the page, and I was taken through each and every emotion with these characters. And like I said, there were tears.

Ernshaw seamlessly blends timelines to give us the full story of the Swan sisters. I really enjoyed flipping back and forth between the past and the present, and she thoughtfully placed those historic vignettes. Each new piece of the Swan sisters' backstory we received, made me want more and more.

The Story

I am going to have to super vague about the plot, because it's so much better going into it blind. What I will tell you is that I loved how it all unfolded, and I really enjoyed collecting all the little pieces to construct the big picture. I had so many "yes", "no way", "aha", and "that's what I thought" moments, and with each and every new discovery, I found myself reading faster and faster, because I had to know how it all ended.

The Romance

I know there are going to be people crying "instalove", but people, these were intense times with high stakes, and sometimes that pushes people closer faster. Being in Penny's head, while she shared her feelings about Bo, made this sap extra sappy. I could have stayed in the cottage with those two forever.

Overall

A captivating story of love, loss, revenge, and sacrifice, that kept me turning the pages.

Rating: 3.5 stars

The Wicked Deep was such a wonderfully atmospheric novel. The premise was absolutely stellar. I loved how the author kept me in suspense the entire time, even though I guessed most of the twists. As the story was slowly unspooled, I kept changing my opinion about certain characters. While there were some parts I didn't like, The Wicked Deep was overall an engaging and intriguing book.

Two hundred years ago, three sisters were drowned as witches. Since then, they've been taking their revenge on the town of Sparrow every summer by drowning local boys. On the eve before the sisters again steal the bodies of three unsuspecting girls, a young man named Bo Carter arrives and meets local girl Penny Talbot. As the murders pile up, the atmosphere in town soon turns suspicious. Mistrustful of each other, even as they fall in love, Penny and Bo must decide what is real and what they're willing to give up to stop the curse.

Ernshaw did an excellent job of bringing to life the small town of Sparrow. Despite the yearly murders, the townspeople stay. For some of them, it's the only life they've ever known. For others, they tried leaving and ending up returning. And others are unable to leave, trapped in a place they dream of escaping. Being able to picture the town so vividly definitely helped me find the magic in this book. The fear and mistrust that slowly spread throughout this small town felt so authentic and real. Nonetheless, I would have liked to see a bit more of how the events affected the non-teenage inhabitants of the town.

The Wicked Deep was a slower paced novel, which allowed me to fully enjoy the atmosphere. I was able to anticipate most of the twists in the plot. Oddly, I actually enjoyed the experience more because of that. I loved seeing how everything was connected and everything changed when viewed from a different perspective. The author did a brilliant job exploring the idea of identity. The Wicked Deep was definitely more of a psychological mystery than I was expecting and I loved it. And yet there wasn't an explanation for one of the most important parts of the book. I would have liked that question answered but I can see why the author choose to have the story be more mysterious.

The flashbacks to the sister's story were some of my favorite parts. I always love seeing how villains are formed. Their story was nicely interwoven with the rest of the book. However, I found it hard to connect to the two main characters. Since the second half of the book focused heavily on the romance, I didn't like it quite as much as the beginning. There was also insta-love, a trope that I'm not a huge fan of. I actually preferred when the book focused on the relationships between the sisters and the townspeople and the three sisters themselves.

The Wicked Deep was a unique book that was full of creepy happenings, mysterious murders, and intriguing characters. I would recommend if you're looking for a wonderfully atmospheric YA read that's a bit darker.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THIS IS A BEAUTY OF A BOOK! The Wicked Deep is stunning and magical and deeply haunting. I feel so lucky that I got a sneak peek at this book. I'm breathless from the beauty of the words, the haunting ache of love and the gorgeously rich tale of witches, revenge, redemption and sacrifice. The author creates a thickly layered coastal town with residents unable to escape a centuries old curse. The Swan sisters were drowned two hundred years ago for witchcraft and they return each June to inhabit the bodies of local girls...so they can drown boys-- rip them out to sea so they can experience the same horrifying death. Sound gruesome? It is, for sure. And the townspeople are trapped by the sea and the curse and death. The Swan sisters are relentless. They never fail to return and seek vengeance in this tiny coastal town. The author immerses the reader in the cold isolation of the town of Sparrow and its neighboring island. Earnshaw's prose is thick, lush and deeply creepy. And there's love!!!! Lots of love. The kind that makes you swoon and the kind that makes you think about the strength of the human heart to endure tragedy and loss. This is a beauty of a book. Read this with a mug of tea in hand, a warm sweater wrapped around your shoulders--and prepare to be up all night. You won't be sorry.

The Wicked Deep is so, so amazing! It's about a small town that has a curse and we follow a girl named penny over a few weeks during the summer. The writing style in this book is beautiful. At times I left I was right there in the little sea town. The plot of this book is my favorite part. I felt that the pacing is perfect. I like the overall feel of this book, The spooky, twisty, magic that fills this book. Death is around every cover, and we never really know who we can trust. I don't wait to give anything away because I feel that going in knowing nothing is best.
This is by far my favorite books so far this year. I went in knowing I was going to enjoy this book but I didn't expect to love it as much as I do! I've finished a few weeks back and it's still on my mind. The Wicked Deep is wonderful. I'm now a huge fan of Shea Ernshaw, I personally can't wait to see what her next book it going to be because of this book.

The Swan sisters arrived at Sparrow, Oregon in 1822 abroad the Lady Astor. Marguerite, Aurora and Hazel eventually were outcasted as witches and were tied with rocks on their ankles, drowning to their deaths. A curse is placed on Sparrow and every year start on June 1st during Swan Season, the sisters take their revenge as they inhabit three girls while enticing men to a deadly fate.

During present day, the novel focuses on seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot who lives in Sparrow, a small seaside town with a population of 2,014. Penny, as well as other residents, knows about the local legend and accepts the fate. Swan Season becomes a morbid version of tourism in June. However, this year is different, Penny befriends a new guy named Bo Carter and she does everything she can to prevent Bo to be grasped by the curse.

Rose is Penny's best friend and they always got each other's backs. Penny's mom started losing her mind after Penny's dad vanished one day three years ago and never came back. There is something enigmatic about Penny's mom who reads tea leaves and can sense strangers around her. She tells Penny, "Your fate lies at the bottom of a teacup." Shea Ernshaw tantalizes all senses. From delicious cakes to the wonderful fragrances of the perfumery, Ernshaw has created a world where you can see, hear, taste, smell and feel Sparrow.

The romance in this novel can come off as instalove due to the short period of time covered in the book. I am very particular when it comes to romances within novels and I am often put off when there is instalove prevalent. However, I wasn't bothered too much with the instalove in this novel. At first, Penny was trying to push Bo away but later offers him food, shelter and a job. They get to know each other before they discuss their feelings. However, both Bo and Penny have their own secrets. I am smitten with Bo! Not only does he tells Lon to stop forcing Penny to do things she does not want to do but he is a likable and relatable character. Penny and Bo are such a cute couple and I was rooting for them during the whole novel.

From alluring siren singing to the eeriness of a pirate shipwreck, The Wicked Deep is a beautifully written, enchanting, character-driven novel with lots of twists and turns. The novel weaves magic with romance with a dash of revenge. I highly suggest this novel for those who love Hocus Pocus, How to Hang a Witch, Practical Magic and for anyone who likes to novels about witches and magical realism.

The Wicked Deep takes place in a small town in Oregon named Sparrow. Every year on June 1 three sisters come back from the dead and inhabit the bodies of three teenage girls. In 1883 the Swan sisters were accused of being witches and thrown into the ocean to drown. Every year because of this they seduce the boys in the town and then drown them as revenge for being murdered by the town over 200 years ago.

Our main character Penny Talbot lives in Sparrow and is resigned to the fact that every year just as school ends, the sisters come back, and the murders begin again. But this year something is different. Because this is a widely known local legend, every year there is an influx of tourists coming in to see if they can get a glimpse of the sisters, but one boy named Bo stumbles into town looking for work and has no idea what happens every year or who the Swan sisters are.

I really can’t say anything else about the plot because it’d be considered a spoiler. I think it’s just best to go into this just knowing the blurb of the book and nothing more. This is a paranormal mystery and it kept me on my toes the entire time. Honestly, I was kind of confused almost the entire time but never in a frustrating way. I was just dying to what the heck was going on. I wanted to know who the Swan sisters were possessing and how exactly everything would end.

The weakest part of the book was probably the romance, but it wasn’t even because of the characters, it was just a bit underdeveloped compared to everything else. Since Penny is the MC and we’re in her POV throughout the story, we didn’t learn that much about Bo (but what we did I liked.) There is also a case of insta-love, I’ve definitely read worse but it’s still there a little bit.

I loved that we got glimpses from 200 years ago. We got to see a little bit of how the Swan sisters were while they were alive. Overall, this had a creepy and atmospheric vibe and I recommend it to readers who like YA paranormal and fantasy. Also the cover is absolutely drool-worthy and it fits the story perfectly!

Two centuries ago in the small town of Sparrow three sisters were accused of being witches and put to death. The residents of the town tied stones to their ankles and drowned them in the deep waters that surrounded the town. Each years since their deaths the sisters have returned to the small town for a period of a couple of weeks to seek their revenge upon the town by inhabiting the bodies of local young women to tempt the young men of the town to their own death.

Seventeen year old Penny Talbot lives in the small town of Sparrow and like many of the local residents she has come to accept the fate of her town every summer while tourists flock the town to see the legend of the sisters carried out. This year however Penny meets Bo Carter who has stumbled into the town the night before the sisters are due to arrive and after hiring Bo to help work the lighthouse her family runs Penny finds herself wanting to do anything she can to keep Bo from the danger that summer.

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw is a young adult fantasy tale featuring witches, curses and a bit of romance added into the mix. A few warnings will come with this review even though I quite enjoyed this one myself. First, for those that hate the old insta-love trope in young adult this one might not be for you as yes the characters move into the love phase fairly quickly. Also, there were a few situations in it that may not be best for a very young crowd.

When finished with this one other than a few minor details here or there I rather enjoyed the story overall. This is one that has that creepy vibe with a dark edge involved waiting for the curse to play itself out with a few twists here and there to keep the reader on their toes and the pages turning. It was easy to get to know the characters in the present story while getting bits of the past to learn about the sisters and how they came to curse the town. I'd definitely recommend checking this one out to the young adult fantasy fans.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via Edelweiss.

When I first heard about this book, all I could think about was how much I loved Practical Magic and I was so excited. It didn’t disappoint at all and definitely had the feel of it while at the same time telling it’s own original story. We have a town, we have a curse and we have it being made into a tourist attraction. Now while Penny and Bo did both have their mysterious, I was entirely focused on the Swan Sisters. I wanted to know everything about them and where their story was going to go.

As the novel started off, there were moments when the author was trying to write in a very poetic type of way but it didn’t quite stick until further in. Then the words started flowing better. While I did pick up hints about the truth on who the Swan sisters were possessing, it was still fun seeing that twist and how other characters reacted to that knowledge. I didn’t completely love the ending however, I felt like the book finally hit its stride and was turning into something really great but ended in a bit of a weak note.

The romance between the two main characters was great but Bo completely concerned me with his anger and thoughts towards killing innocents in order to achieve his vengeance. I feel like if maybe the story was a little different then maybe it would have been justified, but all I kept thinking was how he was 18 years old and ready to kill. Though it took the ending for me to understand why Penny wasn’t as freaked out as I was about it, but still.

Overall it was a good read and I flew through the pages. The Swans Sisters definitely deserved more in the end and I would love to read a book centered on just them.

The Wicked Deep has this enchanting interaction between the past and the present. While the original Swan sisters were killed for being 'witches' every Swan Season (loved this pun) there's almost another pseudo-witch hunt looking for the girls who have been taken over by the Swan sisters. On a thematic level, I just couldn't get over how apt it was and how much it demonstrated the power for 'modern society' to draw right back into the lulls of persecution. A lot of times I hear people say, "we would never do something like that in this day and age". This book puts us under a spell by asking us if we are resigned to be stuck in this cycle forever?

The Wicked Deep starts with a promising premise that gets lost at sea as it drifts toward a conclusion that I wasn't invested in at all. What may come across as clever or enchanting to some, was painfully obvious to me. It's little more than a typical teenage romance, told with all the trappings of an afternoon soap opera. The main story told from Penny Talbot's POV is interrupted by vignettes that try to fill in the history of the town of Sparrow and vengeful Swan Sisters, justifying their actions that have haunted the town for two centuries.

Most of what happens comes across as rote; for the most part, Penny isn't actively trying to do anything. In a story with a central mystery—who are the Swan Sisters this year, and how can we stop them?—that aspect isn't played up at all. Instead, there's a lot of fawning over boys and really deep feelings that come out of nowhere, and it's all just so boilerplate and expected, all I can do is stare at the accolades and shrug. It turns out, the cake was a lie all along.

“The Swan season has begun. And this little town tucked along the shore will not come out unharmed. ”

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The moment I read Hocus Pocus + Salem Witch Trails + Practical Magic I knew I had to read The Wicked Deep. This book was everything I hoped for and more. Shea Ernshaw just became an auto-read author of mine. I want everything that she creates. The writing is so beautifully done, it just flows from page to page. There is so much I want to say but I can’t word it without giving away any spoilers. Just know I loved it and I am now planning to get a tattoo with a quote from this spellbinding masterpiece. Here are two of the quotes I loved:

“Perhaps we all have some oddity, some strangeness we keep hidden along our edges, things we see that we can’t explain, things we wish for, things we run from.”

“Magic is a tricky thing. Not easily measured or metered or weighed.”

I’m so excited to watch Shea grow as a writer and see where her magical mind takes us.

An incredible and riveting read. The Wicked Deep is such an unexpected story that is sure to leave the reader breathless. The reason that the story is so breathless is the fact that the story flows so effortlessly. It goes from the present to the past to bring the story and the history of the place to life. Moreover, that is what makes the story incredible. It creates this premise that this small town is forever haunted by its sins of the past, both figuratively and literally, making it a beautiful read. There is so much emotion in the novel as it builds character and history while also keeping the language subtle while it weaves plot twists and turns. Moreover, they are incredible twists and turns that spin the novel into what it is.

It is so compelling to see how the novel moves from moment to moment, building the past up while it also builds up the premise of the past, letting the reader get to know who the Swan sisters were, what their crimes were, and how they met their untimely and unjustified demise. There’s no clear answer as to how they became these malevolent spirits, but that is such an inconsequential aspect of the story because of their pain. The suffrage and punishment for being untraditional women weave a spell on the reader, creating so much sympathy for these villains who drown boys ever summer. Their anger is understandable, the characters are relatable, and their rage and sadness leap off the pages. These are characters the reader can understand, which is essential for drawer the reader in and making sure the reader can connect to the story and the characters. The reader needs to be able to connect to the “villains” to fully grasp the emotional intent of the novel, leading them to be perfectly flawed and very human in their anger and grief, showcasing the incredible talent of Ernshaw.

The same can be said for Penny as well. She is such a quiet character who says very little, yet her thoughts, her mannerisms, the way Ernshaw brings her to life is incredible. Penny is such a believable character because her pain, fears, and personality leap off the pages. Even as a demure character, Penny is perfectly designed in a way that the reader has no problem conjuring her up in their minds. As with the ghosts, the reader can connect with her, and that is incredibly important for this novel.

As for the language and plot, there is no denying how perfectly structured it is. The subtle language the author uses to sneak in plot twists, continuously take the reader by surprise. It is one word here, then another there, that leaves the reader to say “whoa” every single time. It is magnificent writing that has so much emotion between the lines building up the story more than plot or character development, not that either of those is lacking, but the emotion, that is the most impressive part of the novel.

The Wicked Deep is a novel that makes the reader feel things and leaves them breathless. It moves perfectly and utilizes emotion to make the story move is captivating. This novel that will haunt the reader and make their heartache and is sure to weave a spell over the reader much the characters in the novel, but in this case, in a good way. Succumb to the beauty of this novel and pick it up.

-- A Little Town Called Sparrow --

The story follows our main character, Penny, who lives with her mother on a small island in a town called Sparrow. Now Sparrow could be just like any other little island town except that it has a rather dark history.

-- Introducing the Swan Sisters --

Two centuries ago, the Swan sisters, Marguerite, Aurora, and Hazel were sentenced to death for witchcraft. Instead of being hanged or burned, the sisters' hands were bound, rocks were tied to their ankles and they were drowned off the shore of the island.

When I first picked up this book, I thought that the sisters were actually witches but as it turns out, they really weren’t. They were all incredibly beautiful and alluring young women, and their only real crime was seducing the men of Sparrow (two of the sisters were especially fond of sex). So basically, what we have here is a vicious case of slut-shaming leading to the murders of three innocent girls.

-- Two Hundred Years of Revenge --

But that was not the last the small town heard of the Swan sisters. As it turns out, every summer the sisters rise from their watery graves and return in order to take revenge on the town that wronged them.

Each of the sisters takes over and inhabits a body of a local girl. Once in human form, the sisters then each drown at least one boy between June 1 until June 21, the summer solstice. During that time, no boys — local or tourists — are safe.

You see, once a Swan sister has her sights on a boy, he is pretty much powerless to resist and will willingly follow the sister into the sea ultimately leading to his death.

Oh, and nobody knows which local girl is possessed because while living in their host’s body, the Swan sister is able to absorb the personality and all the memories and mannerisms of their host, so it’s nearly impossible to tell who has been possessed.

But despite the danger, tourists flock in from all over in the hopes of perhaps catching a glimpse of the infamous Swan sisters who have killed innocent boys every summer in the town for the past 200 years.

-- There’s a New Boy in Town --

So back to our main characters, Penny. So on the eve of the sister’s yearly return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives in Sparrow, utterly oblivious to the dangers he has just walked into.

Now there was kind of an insta-love thing going on with Penny and Bo which annoyed me a bit, but the story was interesting enough that I was able to overlook it, especially when we learn that they both have secrets that they are keeping from each other.

But still, they moved to the lovey-dovey stage really quickly. So they get together romantically but as we can guess, one of the sisters sets her sights on Bo, and it’s up to Penny to protect him.

-- The Past and the Present --

I enjoyed how the story weaved back and forth between present day and the past when the sisters were still human, and it slowly unfolds how things ended up turning so tragic for them and the town. It was nice to see the human side of the Swans and not only the raging, vengeful side, which helped the reader to kind of understand where they were coming from.

-- Everyone’s a Suspect --

The town drama sucked me in as well. Once boys began drowning, mistrust spreads like wildfire as everyone, the reader included, tries to figure out which girls the sisters have possessed.

Everyone is a suspect which means that not only is any boy safe, neither is any girl as the town turns into a literal witch hunt. So the mystery aspect of it was kind of fun. There is also a mystery surrounding Penny’s absent father which gets revealed later on in the story.

I love a story with dark legends, curses, and revenge and in that regard, this book didn’t disappoint. The writing in this book was also quite beautiful and lyrical — almost magical — and the author is obviously quite adept at crafting beautiful prose.

-- Lack of Chemistry --

I already mentioned disliking the insta-love trope, but even apart from that, the romance didn’t really work for me. In my opinion, this was the weakest aspect of the story. I dunno, I didn’t feel the intensity and chemistry between them, certainly not enough that they would risk their lives for each other after having only met a few days earlier.

-- A Slow Start --

I also have to admit that I had a hell of a time getting into this book. Usually, when I start a novel, I finish it in a couple of days. I kept picking this up and putting it back down for several days at a time and even considered DNFing it a time or two.

So there was an incredibly slow buildup to the story, at least for me. The characters perhaps lacked depth initially, they most of them ended up being nicely-developed later on.

But I did feel that there somewhat of a pacing problem in the story and it took a long time to get into it. But once the story picked up steam past the halfway point, my interest peaked as well, and I found myself utterly enjoying it.

-- An Easy-To-Guess Twist --

Another niggle is that I figured out the twist pretty early on. I think maybe it could have been camouflaged a little better and not be so evident and easy to guess. But even though I figured it out, the story was still fun, and I enjoyed seeing it all play out.

-- And What’s with Those Festivals? --

One aspect of the story that struck me as odd was the festivals and celebrations that the town would hold during Swan Season, complete with parties and various festivities. I mean every year during this time, several young men are murdered.

Were people so desensitized to these deaths that celebrating the Swan Sisters seemed okay to them? I can’t believe that people in a small town would act like this. You’d think they’d close off the town, shut down their shops and head for the hills during the month of June rather than engaging in merrymaking.

-- My Verdict --

I liked the premise of this story, and The Wicked Deep ended up being a heavy tale about revenge, murder, betrayal, and forgiveness. In this way, it was a darker story, kind of spooky, and positively heartbreaking in places.

Once I got past the halfway point, I became more invested in what happened to the characters and the story enthralled me much more than it did initially.

But the plodding start and the predictability of the plot kind of dampened my enthusiasm for the book. I didn’t dislike it. On the contrary, I thought that the story was compelling and entertaining with interesting characters, and I am glad that I read it.

This review originally posted on my blog at rogersreads.com.

(Review taken from bookish blog Literary Weaponry)

I am going to be honest with you, I have no idea why I picked up this book. I’ve been deep down the reading slump hole and had a couple of Audible credits burning my pockets. What is a girl to do but pick a book at random? This one won my Goodreads roulette. Guess what? I am so glad that it did.

When I first opened this, I wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into. Sure, I had read the description but it really doesn’t give you a good feel for this story. What I got tickled my cockles. This is a delightfully low key spooky story with a complicated YA romance which ticked all my boxes.

I loved the idea of these three girls who had been drowned 200 years ago coming back every summer to punish the town that had condemned them by killing its young men. Let me tell you, if I had lived there I would have packed my bags and headed off as fast as I could. I love spooky stories but I don’t have the heart to live in one. A town where every summer the spirits of three murdered young women possess girls in town to murder young men? Yup, eat my dust. I’m out of there.

Something I would really have liked would to be to have more of a perspective from the sister’s life prior to their death. We get little snippets of it here and there but nothing that satisfied my curiosity. I just didn’t have a solid sense of who they were outside of being out to punish the town for, you know, all eternity. That is some dedication right there.

Much of the story revolves around the budding relationship between Penny and Bo which was actually kind of sweet. There is a scene where they are cleaning up a disheveled orchard and it was nicely done. Not too sweet or obvious, but just, well, right. The relationship between these two characters plays a huge role in the story and I felt like this scene was really a turning point. If you read this make sure you take note of this portion. There are several details that become very relevant later and if you don’t recall them then it really take away from the impact of the conclusion.

In a nutshell, this was a very good book. I loved the story and the way the narrator presented the story to us. Everything weaved together nicely and kept my interest. This is one book I know I will be recommending to people over and over.

Warning: This book does contain murder, drowning and suicide.

I really enjoyed this book. Although, I don't feel like it's fantasy. To me, it read more like a YA mystery novel with witchy elements involved. But other than that little thing, I really liked this book.

I was sucked into this book from page one. I think this is the first book I've read that has witches in it that's not Harry Potter. It was a new experience for me seeing as HP is for a younger audience. This book definitely isn't for children.

The Wicked Deep follows Penny who lives in a little town called Sparrow. Sparrow is said to be cursed by Marguerite, Aurora, and Hazel. Three women that the town of Sparrow hung centuries ago due to witchcraft. I'm calling them women because nowhere in this book did they actually admit to being witches. Every summer, the women come back and steal the bodies of three girls and make boys drown in the ocean as revenge.

The book doesn't get into how this is done. I'm not necessarily sure if it was indeed witchcraft or something else. The book never goes into that. Which was a bit annoying and is the reason it's getting four stars instead of five.

We follow Penny throughout this novel. We get to see how she has to deal with the witches and how she sees them inside of the girls they have stolen. She also has to protect her new love interest, Bo. Who I really loved throughout this book. I liked him more than I liked Penny.

This book was really intriguing and had a couple of twists I wasn't expecting. I was on my toes throughout this entire book. I just can't believe how much I enjoyed it. Seeing as it was compared to Hocus Pocus, a movie in which I actually hate. I can see the similarities but they're definitely not the same.

If you're looking for a mystery "fantasy" YA novel, you should really read this one. It's such a fast paced book. I could have read it in one sitting if I had the time.

With this being said, I really can't wait to see what Shea Ernshaw does in the future.

4/5 Stars

Things I liked:

1. The identity surprise. I actually thought it was someone else.
2. The father's story.
3. The continuity with the past.

Things I didn't like:

1. The world building was a little one-dimensional, only from Penny's point of view and sort of emotionless.
2. The sisters are one dimensional. Even Hazel, who is a little more fleshed out than the others.
3. The story says that the sisters have been killing at least 3 boys a year for 200 years. But they kill more fairly often. That's more than 600 boys in a tiny town over two hundred years. These murders take place over a three week period each summer. Yet the police seem to be completely out of the picture. And instead of staying away, tourists flock to the town to see the murders take place. Yeah, right.
4. After the town's teenagers suspect that one of the local girls is actually a Swan sister, they kidnap her and hold her "for weeks" in a shed. And yet no one can find her in this tiny town even though no one is making a secret of it. Again, yeah right.
5. These teenagers also have no problem with killing anyone they suspect. No one calls the police, or their parents. They just take it upon themselves to pass judgment. And execute.
6. The male love interest from out of town is also ready and willing to kill when he suspects someone of having killed his brother the previous year.
The whole thing is fairly ridiculous. Regardless of the fact that teenagers think they can do anything they want, it isn't true and they would all go to jail.

This was a moody, broody tale with some fun twists.

What I Liked:
Setting:

The book is set in a small town in Oregon with a dark history. Nearly two hundred years earlier, three sisters were accused of witchcraft and drowned. Now, in modern times, boys mysteriously drown each summer. Could this be the sister's revenge?

I liked the layers of history in the village. The book alternated between modern times, and two centuries prior. The author walked the reader around town, with many of the same shop buildings still standing, just with different businesses. Not much has changed, including the attitudes of the villagers. The townspeople were still weary of new people. They were also very happy to blame young women for the drownings.

Also in the story island where much of the action takes place, close enough to the coast, but remote enough to have a very different vibe from the town. The wind-swept vistas and rapidly changing weather seems to reflect the mood of each scene.

Characters:

The novel is centered around Penny, who lives on Lumiere island with her mother. She motors across the bay to attend high school, and hang out with her best friend, Rose. But since her father disappeared three years ago, her mom has spiraled into a deep depression. Penny would love to leave the area after high school, but feels guilty about leaving her mom. I do not usually enjoy the "missing parent" trope, but in this case I thing it served a useful purpose. When there are difficult family situations, I think teens do feel conflicted about leaving someone behind.

I also liked Rose, Penny's best friend. I found her character to be very realistic. While Rose and Penny were BFF's, Rose also had other friends. Her world was not centered around Penny. Sometimes Rose was not as clued in to what was happening with Penny, but that is real-life. This was refreshing, as Rose didn't exist in the novel for the sole purpose of being the sidekick.

Story:

This is a story about reflecting on the past and redemption. The town has a lot to atone for, but only some people, mostly women, seem to realize this. I appreciated that the ghosts of the Swan sisters would be hard pressed to forgive the town for killing them. But how long can the sister's revenge go on? Haven't the sisters become just as bad as those who condemned them? If you literally only live for revenge, is that really living?

I really enjoyed how the book alternated between modern times and 1820, when the Swan sisters lived. Of course, the truth about why the girls were accused of witchcraft is much more complicated than one originally thinks. I liked how this unfolded, and got teary when I understood what actually happened.

Twists:

Without giving anything away, there were some fantastic twists in this novel! Some people are not what they seem, while others have hidden motives for their actions. These plot turns were hinted at in fun little ways, so when the big reveal happens, we can accept it.

What I Was Mixed About:
Setting:

Here is my one quibble about the book: I think it was a stretch to believe that a town would use the tragic drownings of young men as a tourist event. While I liked the creativity of the various traditions the town had (bonfires marking the beginning and end of the season, ringing a bell when a body is found), I found it strange that people just accepted that boys would drown each summer. There didn't seem to be much investigating by the police as to what was happening. And I think tourists wouldn't be clamoring to witness these deaths.

THE WICKED DEEP is a goosebump-inducing page-turner of a novel. The story centers around three sisters accused of witchery and drowned two centuries ago. Each summer, they return to the cursed seaside town of Sparrow to seek revenge. Atmospheric and layered, the story will keep you guessing and reading late into the night because you won't be able to put it down.

Wow. Where do I even begin with this book. Big shout out to Shea Ernshaw for this book. It was beautifully imagined and so well put together that it was impossible to put down. Ernshaw's writing was so beautiful you could not resist the call of the story and felt yourself being pulled into the lives of the characters of Sparrow, Oregon. The story was fast paced and took you by the throat on the first page. Ernshaw did not waste any time immersing readers into this dark story about love, loss, strength, and finding the ability to let go to save yourself. By the end of the story I found myself rooting for Hazel and Bo, but also rooting for Penny to find her way again. The ending was expected but what I did not expect is the haunting beauty of it.

This book had everything I have been missing in my books. It helped pull me out of my reading slump, if only for a bit. I cannot wait to see what comes next from Shea Ernshaw!

The three beautiful Swan sisters, Marguerite, Aurora and Hazel, arrive in Sparrow, Oregon in 1822. No man, single or married, can resist them. The townspeople thinking the women to be witches, tie stones to their ankles and drown them in the ocean.

In present day Sparrow, tourists overrun the town as the inhabitants prepare for the yearly festivities honouring the Swan sisters. However, the tradition of parties and festivals is not all the residents come to expect each summer. Since the sisters were drowned, death comes to the town, claiming new victims the same time each year. The approaching Swan season is a time when the legendary sisters are resurrected, seeking revenge as they each inhabit the body of a local girl. But there is one person who may be able to break the curse...

Penny Talbot resides with her mother on Lumiere Island, along with two orange tabby cats, Otis and Olga. She uses a small boat to motor across the bay between her home and Sparrow, where she goes to high school. She must traverse a labyrinth of shipwrecks which hark back to the days when supplies were brought in through the port. Now the waters are no longer used for this purpose and there are rumours they are haunted.

Three years ago, Penny's father, John, disappeared from the island and has not been seen or heard from since. She knows something terrible must have happened for him to leave his family behind. Her best friend Rose tries to convince Penny to leave Sparrow with her once they graduate, but she is loyal and feels an obligation to her mother, who lives in a haze on the outskirts of reality since John vanished. Sparrow is dreary and rainy, but it is familiar and comfortable, that is until Bo the intriguing stranger arrives. From a young age, Penny was taught by her mother to read fortunes from tea leaves. In the leaves she has seen a mysterious boy who will arrive and capture her heart. Whenever she thinks about leaving Sparrow, the island draws her back.

Lumiere Island is exquisitely depicted, with its lighthouse, heavy morning fog and surrounded by the vastness of the Pacific. I could easily picture the tragic vision of Penny's mother standing on the cliffs and looking out to sea, waiting for her lost love to come home to her. The novel has an enchanting fairy tale quality that I found captivating. The story of the witches coming back to exact their revenge is a dark one, but it is unique and beautifully written. The Wicked Deep is gorgeously atmospheric and a book I highly recommend.

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the publisher, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, via NetGalley for an honest review.

Opinion:

Witch hunts, romance, drownings, and the ever-lovely rocks being tied to boots to make 3 women sink to the bottom of the ocean; this one’s a doozy.

For my fellow spell casting witches and wizards, I bring you The Wicked Deep.

Every Summer in the town of Sparrow, death marks the waters. Multiple young men are found drowned in the ocean, without any sign of a struggle or foul play. But the residents and tourists of Sparrow are never shocked, because they celebrate this time of year as part of their towns history. As the legend goes, the three Swan sisters (Marguerite, Aurora and Hazel) traveled to Sparrow by boat in 1822 and started a perfume shop. Quickly, the local men started to take interest in the sisters due to their intoxicating beauty and allure. But soon the three sisters were accused of being witches and casting spells on the men of Sparrow. So, the three were taken on a boat with rocks tied to their boots and thrown into the ocean where they drowned. Now in present times, Penny Talbot fears the coming of the new “Swan Season”. Her mothers condition has worsened due to the disappearance of her father 3 years earlier, and Penny only hopes that the deaths stop in Sparrow. But with the arrival of a boy named Bo, this Summer proves to be something else entirely.

Guys, this book is WILD! It has an even pace throughout and it kept me CRAZY interested the entire time, but the best part is the twist that Shea Ernshaw throws in! I will admit that I suspected at least part of what happened, but this author took it a step further and left me more than a little shocked. The entire idea of this story feels very HOCUS POCUS, but with a style all its own. We’re talking some SCI-FI/Fantasy stuff here guys, and I am loving it! I also want to say that there is a bit of a mystery going on here that the reader gets to participate in. Are the legends true? If they aren’t, then why are girls randomly drowning boys? If they are true, how is that even possible?!

Penny Talbot is a tough character for me to give an opinion on, and after reading this story, you will understand why. From what I have gathered of her, she is a calculated and careful young girl. She is compassionate towards her mother and the state that she has left herself in, but she still has dreams to leave Sparrow. I really liked the character of Bo as well. He has a dark aura of mystery floating around him for a while, but he slowly starts to shed that as he gets to know Penny. Their relationship is...*sigh*...so complicated. It is incredibly hard to elaborate with out spilling the beans of the masterpiece that is this story. So trust me when I say, this romance is a heavy one.

The author made sure to keep my head going in multiple directions as I tried to figure out just WHAT THE HELL was going on in this town of Sparrow. It was so eerie yet entertaining to see all of these teenager’s party down at the beach as the Swan Season began, bating and teasing the girls to go into the water to be inhabited by a sister. This made me assume that most of the locals didn’t believe in the legend…but then. The witch hunt begins. These kids are INSANE. They accuse each other of being a swan sister and for drowning a boy, and then they hold each other captive. What’s worse is that the local police don’t do anything. That’s BIZARRE! I also liked that Penny and her mother lived on a separate section of Sparrow. At first, I was picturing a beautiful mountain range and cliffs with an inviting private dock, but then I was picturing a dark and scary setting straight out of Frankenstein.

I don’t want to give anything away because that would ruin the entire story, but I MUST express my distaste for that ending. It was an ending that we have all come to as readers, one that screams “I had no idea how to wrap this story up”. How Penny and Bo end up is just bizarre to me, but I guess to Penny it wouldn’t be considering the circumstances (I know this is painfully cryptic, I apologize). Regardless…the ending feels like a lie, and I loathe it. Also, these are teenagers. I know Penny’s mother is a little out of it since her father left, but honestly. Where is she every time Bo and Penny start hooking up?! Her senses are obviously off…

Apart from the ending, I loved this story. I thought the story line and the characters were riveting, the flashbacks to parts of the Swan Sisters time in Sparrow gave great insight, and the dark and eerie foreboding the author kept up during the read kept me slightly creeped out (in a good way). I love when a story keeps me guessing and questioning what I think will happen. Though some things were explained a bit too late, I was still able to keep up and enjoy every moment. I am definitely going to keep this author on my radar, especially if she keeps with this witchy theme!

To see more reviews, head over to my blog: Jenacidebybibliophile.wordpress.com

My Thoughts

I happen to be a huge fan of witches and all stories surrounding them. I also love the ocean and settings centered around small seaside towns. Living in Oregon, I hold a certain appreciation for these things and feel a deeper connection when reading about them. I have to admit that The Wicked Deep felt a bit like kismet as I picked it up.

The skinny..

200 years ago, the Swan sisters were accused of witchcraft and sent to meet their watery fate with stones tied around their ankles. Now, each summer in the town of Sparrow, the sisters return to claim their vengeance by inhabiting the body of the young, local female residents and luring boys to a watery grave. Penny Talbot is no stranger to the town’s curse. But when young Bo Carter arrives in town, unsuspecting and disbelieving of the current dangers, she quickly finds herself surrounded by mistrust and difficult choices. Will she be forced to choose between saving herself and this new stranger?

“We wait for death. We hold our breath. We know it’s coming, and still we flinch when it claws at our throats and pulls us under.”

What I appreciated..

Lumiere Island and the atmospheric seaside setting that felt authentic and familiar.
Stunning and fluid prose with a successful first-person narrative that carries the story with incredible ease. This will be a one sit read for many.
The mysterious lore of the Swan sisters and town’s darker history was well balanced and complex enough to feel viable.
Relatable characters with individualized conflicts.
The unexpected turn of events and a satisfying conclusion.

Challenges some may encounter..

The somewhat rushed element of romance (although the twists throughout make it appealing in its own right).
Sometimes one-dimensional feeling characters due to being shrouded in mystery.

“There are legends of mermaids who fall in love with sailors, their devotion granting them a human form. I read about the Irish tales of selkies shedding their sealskins, marrying a human man, and staying on land forever.”

The Wicked Deep is a fantastic and unsettling tale that the author brilliantly weaves into something tangible and almost natural. It supplies the reader with a magical experience enveloped in paranormal mystery and the end result is genuinely unique and gratifying.

I have to admit, when I saw this book, I only wanted to read it becasue of the cover. I'm not usually one who likes books about withces, but I stuck my neck out and gave it a chance. It turned out to completely different than I expected and I really enjoyed it.

Sparrow, Oregon has been cursed for over 200 years by the legend of the Swan sisters. Every summer they come back on the notes of a song and steal the bodies of three girls and then drown boys as the summer goes on. But this year is different. Penny meets Bo and suddenly secrets from everyone start to come out. But who can trust who? And will you really risk it?

The world building in this was superb y'all. I really felt like I was on the beach, in the parties, in the lighthouse, and more. Maybe it's because I from a place with a beach and I can recognize these things, but I really felt pulled into Ernshaw's story and really felt like I was in Sparrow.

Come to think of it, the world-building was probably the reason I didn't mind that this was about witches. Ernshaw does a great job of providing details about the back-story as well as giving the details of how the sisters survive. You may not get the information all at once, but that's what makes the story.

The only complaint I had about this story was the plot. In many places it dragged, but I decided to stick with it because I was still intrigued. But once it got to the plot twist, the story sped up and I didn't want to put it down. Granted the plot twist is after 200 pages and many of you who read it will have some suspicion, but it will still throw you for a loop.

Lastly, this book was so well written I found myself highlighting so many different phrases and words. Ernshaw has a beautiful writing style that pulled me into Sparrow and kept me there until the very end. From the descriptions of the characters to the description of the places surrounding them and even the cats, I loved reading her words.

I wasn't supposed to like so much of this book based on my past interests. But this book surprised me so much. I loved so much about it and really didn't have any issues with it. Although the plot could have moved a bit faster, I do appreciate the way in which she told the story. Thank you Ernshaw for creating such a magical story that made me want to open my mind to other books about magic and witches.

Quick info dump: This book is about curses and witches and love and loss. It is only 329 pages, making a quick read. The writing is fantastic and the twist and turns just the same. Every character has a purpose and the setting was amazing.

My experience: I read this book in one day. I was hooked from the first chapter, not only because of the plot but because of the beautiful writing. I am also a sucker for books set on islands, which is weird, but it's my thing. There is certainly some mystery in there and if you don't pay attention to little details you may not make a correct assumption like I did. Even though I sort of knew one of the outcomes, I still enjoyed it.

The story follows Penny who lives on an island off Oregon that suffers from a 200 year-old curse where three young girls were put to death after being charged as witches. Every summer the Swan girls return and inhabit a body of a woman in order to drown the boys of the island. It's their revenge on those who killed them. This in itself is a story within a story. A new comer comes to the island, looking for work so Penny offers him a job working the lighthouse on the island she shares with her mother. Bo holds some secrets, but so does Penny and eventually both come to a crashing conclusion.

Having called the Pacific Northwest home for eight years, I am drawn to books set there. The grey skies and constant drizzle just sets my heart afire. Many people don't understand the draw of living in such a so-called dreary environment, but people like me thrive there. We leave part our hearts there. It's in books like these that I get to find that piece again.

In closing, read this book is you love mysteries, witches, curses, rainy islands with secrets and gorgeous writing. I look forward to whatever else Shea Ernshaw has to offer in the future.

I couldn’t pass up a chance to read The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw. I mean, look at that cover! It’s so pretty. And that magical theme is woven throughout the book itself. It’s just so beautifully put together!

I’ll be honest, I was a little hesitant about the story, worried it would be too juvenile for a 30-something reader, but sometimes books like this are just what I need. A nice, comforting read that reminds me why I love books so much. The Wicked Deep felt like a warm blanket, I was just so happy anytime I had a chance to snuggle up with it.

I did quite like the story, though it was somewhat predictable and wasn’t overly complicated, it was still very interesting and drew on the folklore of witches and superstition and small towns. I really love all of that and Ernshaw did a great job of weaving it all into a story that felt dreamlike and magical.

I enjoyed the characters; I really grew to like Penny and was smitten with the mysterious Bo, and when we started to discover the witches, they become strong characters as well and I liked the direction this took the book. It humanized them, even though they were technically the bad guys here, we got to know them on a different level that blurred the lines a little between good and evil.

This wicked little tale ultimately becomes more of a love story, which worked really great. It wasn’t over-saturated with insta-love, but it was sweet and innocent and I enjoyed taking a step back into high school for once, which is not something I ever say.

A quick and easy read, this kept me company while traveling for work and I really enjoyed the whole feel and story. Definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a magical comfort read.

Originally posted on citygirlscapes.com

Two hundred years ago in Sparrow, Oregon, the three Swan sisters were accused of witchcraft and drowned. Every year since then, the sisters return from their watery graves on the first of June and stay until the summer solstice. They possess the bodies of local girls and lure boys into the water to drown. In response and as a way to deal with the curse, the locals have developed their own traditions around it. Teens hold drunken parties on the shore where boys drag girls into the water for the sisters to possess and tourists flock to the town to witness the curse in action.

Seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot lives on the lighthouse island with her mother who had a breakdown after her husband disappeared a few years ago. Penny had put up an ad for help with the upkeep of the island but had given up finding someone suitable. When a young man, Bo, applies on the day before the Swans' return, she turns him down, assuming he’s just another morbid tourist. However, when a local teen tries to drag Penny into the water at the party that night, the same young man rescues her. In gratitude, she offers to let him stay in the lighthouse.

But Penny has a secret. She can see the sisters inside the girls they possess. Worse, they know. Fearing that one of the sisters will seduce the boy into the water just to taunt her, she becomes determined to protect him. But Bo also has a secret and it may cost both their lives.

The Wicked Deep is a YA paranormal romance by author Shea Ernshaw. Having read other reviews, it’s clear I’m not alone in being annoyed by how fast Penny and Bo fall in love - I mean, it’s like a couple of days fast. Still, given the short amount of time the Swans have to wreak havoc, I suppose it helps to explain why the pair of teens would risk so much to protect each other. At any rate, if you can overlook the love-at-almost- first-sight trope, this wasn’t a bad story. It moves along at a pretty decent clip, the two young lovers are likeable, the Swans are satisfyingly wicked in their search for revenge, and the normally bucolic town makes a nice contrast to the cruelty of the curse. Overall, I enjoyed this book but would guess that, again judging from reading other reviews, it works much better for a YA audience (14+).

3.5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

"The Swan sisters are collectors of boys. Seducers. Once they have each taken a girl's body... the drowning begins."

The Wicked Deep is a paranormal, atmospheric read set in present day Oregon, in a small town called Sparrow. Two hundred years ago, three sisters (known as the Swan sisters) were accused of witch craft and executed by drowning. Now in present day, the town of Sparrow prepares for the Swan season: Every June 1st until the summer solstice, the Swan sisters will inhabit the body of a girl and then lure boys to their deaths in the harbor.

"They don't inhabit bodies just to be alive again; they do it for revenge."

Penny is the main protagonist. She's a high school junior who does everything she can to avoid getting caught up in the Swan season. But then the town is flooded with tourists, and a mysterious boy named Bo arrives. He becomes entangled in the town's lore, all while remaining skeptical. But he has secrets of his own, and Penny cannot reveal her own secrets either.

As you can tell from my rating, I loved this book. The setting pulled me in immediately. I am a huge fan of books that take place in small towns that contain some spooky lore. I am from one myself, so while the book may be haunting and mysterious, the overall ambiance reminded me of home. And it was strangely cozy to me.

As usual, here are my thoughts on what I liked and disliked.

The Good:

• The setting. Sparrow is a haunted town. While this book may be a great read during Halloween, it is interesting that it is set in June. I don't associate paranormal books with summer, so this was a very unique change for me. Also Sparrow is a coastal town, so the wickedness of the sea is always present.
• The legend. I love how the lore of the Swan sisters and witch craft were the constant focal points of the story. Everyone in town believed and accepted it, to the point where I grew a bit concerned about how they allowed things to get so out of hand (more on that below).
• The romance. There are a few romances in the book, and all of them tore at my heart strings. Seriously, I will get teary-eyed if I keep talking about it. There is a bit of insta-love but I think the author created a good balance between a new romance while staying true to the mysterious elements of the story.
• The writing. Ernshaw's writing is magical, beautiful, and realistic. I could feel myself completely immersed in Sparrow. I could feel the wind chill, see the fog, taste the fruit and cakes, and smell the bonfires. I was also continuously guessing the twists and felt like I couldn't trust anybody. That makes for a good story in my opinion!

The Bad:

• While I loved Bo, I wish his character had more dimension. He is a very mysterious character, and I felt like we didn't get enough of him.
• Without saying any spoilers, I wanted to address a certain part in the book that bothered me because someone was used in a very personal way. While I know this book's entire premise is based around spirits inhabiting a body, this particular scene rubbed me the wrong way.
• The nonchalant attitude of the adults in Sparrow. Like, boys are drowning. Maybe try a little harder to protect them? Put everyone on lockdown for a few weeks? Call the coast guard? LOL SOMETHING!?

Overall, this was another 5 star read for me! I loved the journey this book took me on, the romance, the town, the legends.

There is a lot of hype about this one on booktube and so I had to check it out as it really did sound interesting. I didn't like it as much as everyone else but I did find it to be interesting.

It's about three sisters who were accused of being witches and drowned. Now every year for a week they inhabit the bodies of three girls from the town so they can seek their revenge. During this time the bodies of young boys are found drowned and everyone blames it on the curse of the town and the three Swan sisters.

Penny believes in the curse while others like her friend Rose doesn't and when an outsider shows up she is determined to make sure he stays safe. Penny can believes because she can see who the sisters have inhabited and she knows they know and they want Bo the outsider she is trying to keep safe. Keeping him safe could cost her life.

I really feel that I can't say more than that without giving to much away but it was interesting and I wasn't completely engrossed in the story until the twist happened! I did really like this author's writing style and the town of the book was very atmospheric and the writer really had a of writing that sort of sucked you in.

If you like stories like this then you will probably enjoy it and I would recommend it as I did enjoy it. I would give it about a 3.75 stars but will round it up to 4 as most places don't let you put those kind of ratings on it...lol. :) I also love that it's a standalone novel!!

So, this was an enjoyable book! (Also, quick second for some cover appreciation, yes? Look at it. I may need a finished copy, just saying.) Anyway, this book has quite a bit going for it, so we shall break it down by the pros and cons!

The Stuff I Liked:

The atmosphere is so on point. I mean, you think you're going to be in a creepy small town set on the water, and wow are you ever. I absolutely felt the eeriness of this place, as well as the small town vibe.

I loved the focus on the history of the legend of the sisters. I'd totally read a book wholly about their backstory, honestly. They seemed badass, especially for their time. But the parts of their story we got were fabulous, so I am happy!

While the relationship was a *bit* quick for my liking, there was no denying that Penny and Bo had chemistry. And I liked some spoilery parts of their relationship, and I'll leave it at that.

The plot was quite twisty, and even though I did figure some of them out ahead of time, it didn't really bother me much. The story definitely kept me entertained and engaged. It was a good length, too- long enough to tell the whole story, but not overly long where I would get bored. It flowed nicely, also.

The Stuff I Didn't:

Some of the end felt a little... easy. Obviously I cannot speak more to this, but I was left feeling a little... unsure?

I would have liked a bit more familial interaction. I know there were some reasons for this. One that I can talk about is how Penny's mom is still grieving the disappearance of her dad. But I still think that a parent would be more worried about their kid gallivanting around an island where dudes are being murdered on the reg, but hey, maybe that's just me. There's also a spoilery reason, but I felt that it wasn't necessary, and mom could have been more in the picture. Minor gripe.

Bottom Line: So incredibly atmospheric with a past and present-day story, this was a haunting tale with themes of life, loss, and love.

I’ve always been fascinated by stories about witches, so I was excited to read Shea Ernshaw’s The Wicked Deep. Described as “Hocus Pocus meets Practical Magic,” it’s a book that combines local folklore and tradition with a magical haunting that returns to the small town of Sparrow every year. There’s mystery, romance, and a literal witch hunt, and you can’t help but wonder how it will all end once the Swan sisters arrive, ready for their revenge…

This is a very atmospheric read, and I think it’s totally fair to say that the town of Sparrow is, in its own way, an important character in the story. It has a sinister history that Ernshaw details throughout the book, and it serves as an eerie backdrop for the present-day “Swan season,” as the locals call it. One small thing I had trouble with was remembering where exactly it was located — it’s in Oregon, but sometimes I thought it was in Washington. But I don’t think this matters much, because Sparrow seems like the type of town that could exist anywhere on the coast, a small, isolated place filled with legend and lore.

I really liked the way Ernshaw handled the Swan sisters, both in the present-day and in the occasional flashbacks to 1822 Sparrow. She effectively blends myth and reality, creating a vengeful force that brings the town to its knees every single year, as penance for a 200-year-old mistake. Little details helped to increase the tension, like the Swan party on the beach, Penny’s fear of going too far into the water, the siren-like singing, and the townspeople’s knowledge of what comes next. They know the pain of the Swan season more acutely than the tourists that swarm into Sparrow every summer. And if anything, their acceptance and resignation makes the story even creepier.

This was definitely a page-turner, and I was eager to know what would happen with Penny, Bo, and Penny’s classmates. In a way, it’s a mystery, as well as a modern myth that draws upon stories of mermaids and sirens. I wouldn’t call it a horror story, but perhaps a paranormal romance that takes a turn you might not see coming. (Which I won’t talk about, because SPOILERS!)

I was a little frustrated by the “insta-love” between Penny and Bo. It had me like, “YOU’VE KNOWN EACH OTHER LESS THAN A MONTH!” and it’s honestly just a clichéd plot device. I did like the big twist in this book, but I found the ending to be… meh. And sort of drawn out. I feel like Ernshaw was trying to provide the reader with as much closure as possible, but there’s something to be said for leaving a few things to a reader’s imagination. And while I feel like we get to know some of the characters, many — including Bo — seemed a little one-dimensional to me, and I would’ve liked to learn more about them, or at least see different facets of them.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes paranormal mystery or romance stories, as well as big, unexpected twists!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

TW: death (drowning)

HOLY COW.

I think this is my first 5 star review this year and I can't think of a thing that would make me want to change that. Wanna know what this book has?

We've got witches (almost). We've got summer romance. We've got murder. We've got TRAGEDY. We've got a damn gorgeous cover that happens to be shimmery and shiny if you have a physical copy. We've got lovely lovely prose. We've got mystery.

We've got me, on the floor, totally in love.

The story opens on May 31st (coincidentally, the day I started reading, which is really neat!), right before Swan season begins, and the Swan sisters return to haunt the town of Sparrow until the summer solstice, killing boys along the way. It's happened every year for about 200 years, and no one's been able to stop it. Penny Talbot's grown accustomed to it, too, having lived in Sparrow all her life. This year, though, is different. This year, she has someone to protect from the Swan sisters in the form of mysterious drifter Bo, who was (thank goodness) not the total toxic broody loner macho man I was afraid he would be.

Without spoiling anything for you (there's so much that's spoilable, so much I predicted and so much I didn't!), the book follows Penny's desperate quest to keep Bo out of harm's way, to put an end to the Swan sisters' reign of terror once and for all. It's both murder mystery and romance, and I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed it. See, I'm normally not fond of romance. I see too much instalove, too many relationships that are more toxic than they are swoon-worthy, and honestly? A lot of relationships are made more of arguing than cooperating (which only works if you can gradually move beyond arguing a la enemies to lovers). But The Wicked Deep really doesn't have that, and instead has a romance that had me more invested than I ever meant to be, especially since the conflict that kept them apart was just some well-guarded hearts, fear, and memory. It's altogether surprisingly sweet and soft, and the first kiss they shared was possibly bordering on trope-heavy BUT I ADORED IT.

The other thing I really loved was the characters. They're all very real, and since most of them are teenagers, they all do some impulsive teenager things that you could pretty confidently label as bad decisions with good intentions. They're seventeen or so. They're trying. They're learning the hard way that there are consequences for even the most well-meant things they're doing. That alone, their ability to try and sometimes fail, is so compelling. I love characters that try to do something right and end up doing the wrong thing in the end, not because they wanted to, but by mistake, because it makes their successes seem so much stronger by contrast. That, and a character who succeeds at everything is boring. These characters were anything but boring.

And oh my word, the SETTING. If you thought I was excited about the characters, please, just pick up the book now and see that there's even more behind it. The town of Sparrow is on the Oregon coast, and every description of it has this sea-touched, light-summer-night, deep-cold-water, potential-for-danger-and-romance vibe. It's the very definition of atmospheric, idyllic enough to play up the romantic passages, but eerie enough to make every murder moment even more unsettling. From the start, you just know something isn't right in the town of Sparrow, and it's all locked in that foggy, mysterious, enchanting way that it's described. Swan sisters and their dangers aside, I could totally lose myself in a little town like Sparrow, and love every minute.

Come to think of it, that's how characters in basically anything die. It's too good to be true, and then they get killed by some local monster or miscreant.

I'll play it safe and stick to reading about towns like Sparrow, then?

But really, I can't find anything to fault with this book. I picked it up at the perfect time, and it was enchanting every minute through. It was tense but tender, and it's also a standalone as far as I can tell (yay!), so everything is resolved by the end in a way that might not have satisfied me in other books, but totally did this time around. What a stunning book. Possibly my favorite book of the year.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Ever since I read How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather in the Fall, I have been craving another book about witches that would give me the same kind of feeling — utterly blown away. I got my wish with The Wicked Deep!

Shea Ernshaw gave readers a peek into her life with The Wicked Deep. According to the biography on her author page, Ernshaw is from a small town in Oregon and loves “lakes and deep dark woods.”

The Wicked Deep follows Penny Talbot, a high schooler in the little town of Sparrow, during Swan Season — a brief time at the beginning of summer when three sisters accused of witchcraft return to inhabit the bodies of local girls to kill boys in an act of revenge on the town for not accepting them 200 years prior.

This book is amazing and perfect for fans of Mather’s books, Practical Magic, and Hocus Pocus. I got a great blend of mystery, suspense, and the touch of romance that I like in books. I devoured The Wicked Deep and have since also listened to the audiobook because THAT’S how much I enjoyed it!

Penny is a quiet, contemplative character, and I really liked her. Listening to the audiobook after reading it helped me to appreciate her character more fully, as I picked up on little things I initially missed. I also think Bo is great. He is intriguing and compelling!

Ernshaw has a smooth writing style and laid out a well-paced plot. Ernshaw really did weave a fantastic story! I’m looking forward to reading more from her in the future.

There is so much that I absolutely adored about this book, that I could go on and on, but I won’t because I don’t want to accidentally spoil anyone. I must commend Simon & Schuster on a stunning cover, though! The naked book is also one of the most beautiful ones that I own.

Overall, OF COURSE I recommend The Wicked Deep! Those who enjoyed the stories I previously mentioned (How to Hang a Witch, Practical Magic, and Hocus Pocus) should like this one. This truly was a wonderful, thrilling read.

I’m going to need to emotionally recover from this book. I feel as if my very heart has been ripped from my chest.

The Wicked Deep, never has there been a more appropriate name for a book. It was just that, wicked. The depth of the emotions that you feel, wow. The depth of the story are amazing.

Shea Earnshaw brought you right into the little town of Sparrow, you made friends with Penny, with Rose & Bo. You felt the sorrow & loss that Hazel Swan had endured. The anger her sisters Aurora & Marquerite still held onto, even 200 years later.

Y’all, the plot twist in this book had me SHOOK! Legit, SHOOK! I had to stop reading, take a moment, reread what I had just read, and take another minute to gather myself.

I loved how she jumped between past & present. It added to the depth and dimension of this story. It may not be for everyone, but it added enough to reel you in & helps you understand the Swan sisters.

Y’all, do yourself a favor, head to your book store, the store, wherever and get a copy. You absolutely will not be disappointed.

The Wicked Deep gets four stars purely for its cozy setting.

In an idyllic small Washington coastal town of Sparrow, Penny is about to go on summer break from school, but instead of feeling excited she is worried about the curse that plagues her small town. Two hundred years ago three sisters were accused of witchcraft and were drowned for their crimes of seduction. Now, every summer they return to possess the bodies of young teen girls in order to drown at least three young men as payback for their murders. The plot itself wasn't that bad for a young teen book. I read these more or less so I have recommendations for my students. The plot twist was predictable, however, I had talked myself out of it and then at the end of the book when what I thought was going to happen happened, I was like, well I guess I was fooled after all. But that is not why I am giving this four stars. I found myself enjoying the descriptions of the rainy evenings in Sparrow, the small island and cottage that Penny and Bo had their little romance, which happened to have loads of books and a roaring fireplace with two cute little tabbies. I truly felt like I was on a mini vacation near the northern Pacific while reading this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read and review The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw! Chapter One opens the book with the introduction of the main characters, the setting of the town of Sparrow and Lumiere Island, a spooky tale and foreshadowing of death. The main characters are Penny, who lives alone with her mother after her father disappeared three years ago, and Rose. Rose’s mother owns a bakery that sells mini cakes that supposedly help people forget their struggles and painful memories. Tourist season starts and the town celebrates the legend of the three Swan Sisters and their drowning centuries ago. The Swan sisters Marguerite, Aurora and Hazel were drowned after being accused of witchcraft. The story is told in parts, past and present, alternating to reveal the history of the sisters, the disappearance of Penny’s father and the secrets of Bo, the visitor that ends up working on Lumiere Island with Penny. Wicked Deep is a fantasy wrapped in darkness, engulfed in tragedy and heartbreak with intrigue, deception and sacrifice that ultimately brings love into its pages. Wonderfully written and rates a highly recommended 5 stars!
* I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary review consideration.

Two hundred years ago, three sisters were deemed to be witches and sentenced to death. On the summer solstice, they had stones tied to their ankles are were drowned in the lake. Every summer since the sisters inhabit the bodies of three teenage girls and lure boys to their watery graves. This story begins on the eve of Swan season when our main character, Penny Talbot, meets a mysterious boy, Bo Carter, who arrives in town with secrets of his own.

From the beginning, I predicted the majority of the plot of this book but the delivery still made the story enjoyable. Penny was a very likable main character and I thought her belief in the Swan Sisters legend heightened the mystery element of the story. The rest of the cast of characters did a nice job of adding to the plot. You have some who believe the legend and steer clear of the lake, some who think it’s a hoax, and some who embrace the creepiness of the season. This mix of opinions really lets the reader decide for themselves what they think is really happening in the town of Sparrow.

I really enjoyed The Wicked Deep. The writing style made it very easy to picture the detail and atmospheric beauty of Sparrow. Even though this book takes place in early summer, a crisp fall day and a mug of cider would set the perfect mood for this story.

The promise of a novel filled with the essence of both Practical Magic and Hocus Pocus is fulfilled by reading Shea Ernshaw's debut novel, The Wicked Deep. Within these pages is a story filled with regret, revenge, lies, and most of all, love. And every bit of this summertime story is just as wicked and deep as the title assures.

From the beginning, the haunting lyricism with which Ernshaw conjures her story is enough to draw readers in, and what's more, drown them entirely in beautiful language. The style blends a contemporary narrative with historical elements given through the titled chapters spread throughout the entirety of the novel. Though the narration of these titled chapters does not follow the linear action of the novel, they are just as captivating as the world seen through Penny Talbot's eyes. Penny believes deep in her bones that the three Swan sisters who were drowned in the harbor of Sparrow, Oregon 200 years ago, do indeed return each summer to drown as many teenage boys as they can. It becomes most clear that "magic was not always so linear. It was born from odium. From love. From revenge." And what begins as a story of revenge soon becomes one filled with love.

Throughout the story, tensions remain high, stakes fraught with the impending deaths of innocent boys. There is a ticking clock to keep readers swept up in the urgency of the story; the Swan season wanes toward the summer solstice, which marks the day the sisters were drowned after being accused of witchcraft so many centuries ago. Like the descendants of Salem, Marguerite, Aurora, and Hazel Swan were not witches. Yet, they're resurrected every summer, taking over the bodies of young girls in town before slipping from the skins back to the ocean below. It's a rather dire set of circumstances in a town that knows entirely too much of their tragic fates, best explained within the narrative:

"Murder. That's precisely what it is. Calling it a curse does not unmake the truth of what happens here each year...It's as predictable as the tide and the moon. It ebbs and flows. Death comes and goes."

Held within those few lines is the essence of the story, that constant sway between life and death, killer and victim. And the villains of the story, those Swan sisters with the ability to lure boys to their deaths, are proven to be just as flawed and complicated as any good antagonist should be. What was most unexpected, however, was how their villainy washed away as their tragic fates were shared, making it hard not to accept their revenge. Best explained by Penny, "Guilt slithers through me, a thousand regrets, and I wish for things I can't have: a way to undo all the deaths, to save the people who've been lost."

The other characters within this novel are no less authentic. Everyone from Penny's grief-stricken mother to Bo, the new boy in town who hides something just as dark as the town; they all seem to hope for something better. As readers, we learn that "the truth slips between the edges of the lies." These people, like Penny, are broken. She misses her father. Her mother has been driven into darkness most maddening by the disappearance of her husband three years before, and Bo found his way to Sparrow filled with his own heartbreaks. At their core, they are all searching the shores for something. Like Bo explains:

"They're always reasons to stay. You just need to find one reason to leave."

Shea Ernshaw's strengths within this debut do not merely lie at the bottom of an ocean filled with exquisite language, intricate history, and poignant characters, but rather imbue power into the story with elements of magical realism. The notions of curses and revenge, of momentary resurrection and ghosts might be hard to comprehend amidst the contemporary small town setting. But this is the farthest thing from a summer beach read because of the elements of magical realism woven throughout the narrative in a manner that seems so easily conjured. These details act as a juxtaposition to the haunting reality of death. From the forgetful cakes Penny's best friend's mother bakes, "intended to make you forget the worst thing that's ever happened to you--to wipe away bad memories," to the way Penny and her mother are able to divine the future by reading tea leaves; there is a hint of magic in everything. This acts as a way for the reader to better comprehend the strange events of Sparrow, Oregon, and thus, too, the characters to accept that something wicked most certainly comes from the sea.

Sparrow is a mysterious place, while Penny's home at Lumiere island acts as a protection against everything happening around her. The lighthouse is able to shine light onto the murky truths beneath the waves, and as such, the island becomes its own kind of character within the novel. Just as Penny and Bo gravitate toward the orchards and cottages, the reader, too, will feel bound to the island and the veil of safety it offers against the brutality of the risen sisters.

Reading the line, "Some places are bound in by magic. Ensnared by it," this feels like truth carefully crafted to encompass the marks we leave, even after we're gone. So too, does this truth: "Ghosts remain. But sometimes, the past is the only thing keeping a place alive...But it persists, because it must. Penance is a long, unforgiving thing. It endures, for without it, the past is forgotten." Throughout this book, there were many more lines and paragraphs, which took my breath as I drowned within them, ensnared by Ernshaw's skill to take the reader deep into her characters' lives. Lines resonate long after being read. None so much as:

"Perhaps we all have some oddity, some strangeness we keep hidden along our edges, things we see the we can't explain, things we wish for, things we run from."

In the end, Shea Ernshaw's debut, The Wicked Deep, will leave readers under its eerie spell. Though this book is a standalone with a satisfying conclusion, it is clear that "endings are never so simple." And navigating this haunting tale to the last page will leave readers looking forward to whatever Ernshaw conjures next!

3.5

I can see why people were disappointed by this book, as I was a little bit too.

The premise is fascinating and intriguing, and the story is truly engaging in the beginning. But around page 200, I started getting bored with the characters, which in turn made me less interested in the story. Honestly, I think I would have enjoyed this more if there wasn't a romance involved. To me, this romance wasn't believable, it felt way too fast-paced for it to be convincing, and it ended up being the focal point of the entire plot. I was way more interested in the history of the town, the sisters, and their lives than I was about the present-day romance that seemed like it just happened to move the story along.

Overall,, I did enjoy the ride and did really like the premise, so I would still recommend this to anyone interested in mystery, and/or witch-related content. However, if you're not a fan of insta-love or even romance that carries a story, then this isn't for you.

I’m so happy I read this!! I was looking forward to it so much and then it came out and I didn’t look yo any reviews or others opinions. I just started reading, all I knew was a inspired by hocus pocus set in an sea town called Sparrow.

Every summer the sister come back, after being drowned in the sea they take revenge on the boys of the town during one month. Starting the day the originally died. They inhabit a girls body from the island and use them to seduce and drown the victims. And it was so awesome and unique. It was actually a cursed town and not some myth.

This was just really good! It was so atmospheric I really felt like I was in this little town and I loved it!! I loved how I can picture this old time place nestled in between the sea and mountains. I pictured the ships scattered on the edge of the sea floor and the masts sticking out in the water. I really loved Penny’s home and how it was it’s on separate Island.
I liked the rotating chapters of penny’s point of view and then a little slice of history about the town or the sisters.

I really liked the romance. It was very believable and I adored Bo, I especially loved the romance at the end. I even cried!!!

The only reason this got 4 instead of 5 is because I figured out the plot twist way ahead of time. Like way way way ahead but I think the author wants you to figure it out because it hints a lot too it, but then again it tries to make you second guess yourself too.

I just love it ⭐️?

The Wicked Deep is a hauntingly beautiful book about love, loss, and forgiveness. The book follows Penny, a girl gripped with her fathers disappearance, her mother's loss of sanity, and the start of another Swan season. But it all changes when Bo arrives, an outsider brought by the sea. Just like the leaves foretold.

I can't get this book out of my head. It had the most well executed mystery I have ever read in my entire life. I can't recount the amount of times I gasped or was shocked by the events that occurred. The characters were jumping off the page and I could see them all. All of the secondary characters were vital to the plot and I loved the little peeks into their lives that we got. The small peaks into the past we get were always just enough to keep the mystery going or shed some light on specific characters but they never felt like too much. The word choice of this book is outstanding. I was blown away by the strong and descriptive language. I have plenty of new favorite quotes from this book. It is witchy and wonderful. It challenges the idea of forgiveness and the idea of what makes a person good. I would recommend you drop everything you think you're going to read and pick this one up instead. Not to mention that gorgeous cover.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I only gave it four stars because it was as expected. I figured out what was going to happen before it happened. I figured there was no way it was that obvious, but it was. So, to me that was unfortunate. It lacked the element of surprise.

It is very similar to Hocus Pocus as stated in the synopsis description. We’ve got three sisters who were tried and murdered for practicing witchcraft, except they were not actually witches. So wrongful death, revenge, coming back every summer to take that revenge, you get it. Essentially, we are in that time frame of the sisters coming back in this novel. There’s lots of murder mystery going on.

There is not really a lot one can say without giving away too much and spoiling the story line. Just know this is a dark and twisty mystery. It is magnificent for a debut novel, but it is one that really lacks the unknown.

The Wicked Deep is a good read with an unique and interesting story line. There is a lot of depth that goes into the characters personalities, which will later cause you a fair amount of emotional turmoil as you start to discover that Penny is not who you think she is. The twists and turns will have you saying, as I did, "Whoa, I did not see that coming." The only issue I had with the book is that I was just not captivated by it. I am very easily distracted, so it is hard for me to read if I am not completely absorbed into a book's pages. When reading this, I found my mind drifting off and I constantly had to reread a lot. I went along with the ride hoping that it would get better, which it did a little, but not until the very last couple of chapters. Other than that, The Wicked Deep is vividly written and I would definitely suggest this book to those of you that have more patience than me.

“It starts as a low croon that rolls in with the ride, a sound so faint it might just be the wind blowing through the clapboard shutters, through the portholes of docked fishing boats, and into narrow clacks along the doorways. But after the first night, the harmony of voices becomes undeniable. An enchanting hymn sailing over the water’s surface, cool and soft and alluring. The Swan sisters have awakened.”

I am still not sure what I think of this book. It was a wild ride, most of it pretty unexpected for me. I don’t want to give anything away. I will say if the description appeals to you then you will probably at least find this an entertaining and somewhat quick read. I am giving The Wicked Deep 3.5 stars.

Is it weird to both love and hate the way this ended?

I loved every second of this book, until the ending. I'm not sure whether it was an okay ending or...something else entirely.

I loved the legend and the lore of the three sisters. I loved how the story unfolded back and forth through time and I loved figuring things out way ahead of time and others I didn't. I loved the romance and the stories. It truly was a story that was so hard to put down. Captivating like the very sea itself and yet, I feel unsettled by the ending that sort of wasn't an ending at all and maybe that is what the author intended all along. An ending, that wasn't an ending but more of a beginning in some ways and a continuation in others.

I'd say I probably finished this book in about 2 days.

The cover of this book is beautiful. I heard really good reviews about it so I gave it a read. Like the story, I was captivated by the words. I was very curious about what was going on with Penny and others in town. I wanted to know whose bodies the Swan sisters took over. Bo, the mysterious outsider, was also intriguing. What was he doing in Sparrow? Did he have a dark past he wasn't telling?

It's been a while since I've read a single book story. This would definitely be the book I try to get all my friends to read. The satisfaction of one book with an enchanting plot.

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw was way better than I imagined it could be. I felt like I lived in the town, knew the characters, was part of the tradition. I could smell the salty sea air and feel the rain drops on my skin. It was vivid, atmospheric, visual, and engaging.

PROS:
atmospheric setting that works as a character - dark and gloomy, rainy, and cursed, small town vibes
everything's just a little.....off
characters you can root for!
characters you don't trust!
~is~ there a wrong and right in this world?
none of the townies question the magic of the place, to the point that they throw parties and dare each other to do dangerous things

CONS:
insta-love
most of the book takes place in the same area of the town

So this book surprised me in the fact that there was a huge plot twist I didn't see coming. And overall I felt the story was very original and it was a nice change of pace from the typical, trope filled YA that I normally read. The first part of the book with the world building/character building and overall set up was a little slow, but once the plot got going it never really let up, and I flew through the last
part of the book because I wanted to know what happened so badly. Really enjoyed this read.

I received this e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I've been heavily disenchanted with YA fantasy as of late. Every book I've picked up this year I have to force myself to finish. I never feel that emotional connection to the character, that pull to keep on reading because I must find out what happens next.

Until The Wicked Deep.

I finished this book in one sitting, early in the morning hours, because I refused to close it. The creepy, witchy aspect of the plot sucked me in immediately. The mystery of the town of Sparrow and the twists that had me second-guessing myself kept me around. And the beautiful writing, world-building, and character relationships hurtled me toward the finish.

I'm so grateful to Ernshaw for bringing hope back to YA fantasy and finally offering that heart-wrenching emotion in a story that I've been pining for for far too long.

The Wicked Deep was a creepy story with rich world building, beautiful language and amazing imagery. That, and the cover is amazing and so sparkly. I just need it on my shelves at all time, illuminated by a little spot light. But--there were plenty of issues too.

I want to say, right off the bat, that The Wicked Deep took me a long time to get through. It was touch-and-go for a little while, and I wasn't sure if I was really going to be invested enough in it to finish.

I absolutely loved the way that book set up the world and the setting. There were small snippets between chapters that just set the mood and the scene in just perfect, bite-sized ways that made me love the story. Shea Ernshaw is amazing at writing settings. All those little bits were the perfect mix of tense, creepy and beautiful.

But then there was the dialogue.

The dialogue all the characters had felt so... off. It felt stilted and a little bit dated. The voices didn't feel genuine and every time I had to suffer through a patch of dialogue it was tipping the scales towards the DNF side.

I was intrigued by the story, but I couldn't make it through big patches of the book at once thanks to the characters. Maybe it was just me. Maybe this book is exactly your cup of tea. For me? Not so much.

This book has an absolutely gorgeous cover and was the main reason that I picked it up in the first place.

I definitely think that this book was horribly overhyped. I do not care for contemporary books, especially when they involve a heavy amount of romance like this one did.

That being said, I didn't totally hate it either. I found the Swan sisters to be interesting and wished that o could have seen more of their story. The modern day story line didn't really hold my attention, but the twist did get me.

I didn't have any expectations for this book. It looked interesting enough and it was a standalone so I figured-why not? OMG was I pleasantly surprised! This was one of the best books I think I've ever read! The character development was on point, the setting was amazingly atmospheric, and the story was well paced. There was a twist that I must say I did eventually see coming, but it was still a remarkable read. And that ending!!
Definitely a must read for 2018!! This book is also a testament to what a good writer can do; tell a complex and engaging story in one book and not drag it out into a trilogy. Well done Shea Ernshaw!! I'll be looking for more by this author.

This was a very random pick for me as I waited for other books I have on hold through Overdrive. I was so very pleasantly surprised both by the supernatural aspect (which I usually find trite and unbelievable,) and the sheer hold of the writing and the story. It found this book as a happy and welcome surprise. The writing was excellent and the story captivating. I won't bother with a synopsis as you can read those in so many places I think it would be and injustice to the fun of reading this story. My last thought of recommending this book is that it is a gem and a fascinating story with many twists and turns that you never see coming and only make the story more interesting instead of odd or unbelievable. Give this book a shot, you will be happy you did.

pooled ink Reviews:
3.5 Stars

Creepy, alluring, and tragic, it's a summer love story that will have you pondering the dark waters that flow at night. THE WICKED DEEP is a perfect blend of horror and fantasy that spins its tale with a calm that both chills and lulls, calling to you to keep reading past the point of no return.

(There was a teeny tiny element to the ending that I wasn't a huge fan of but to mention it would be a spoiler so if you're desperately curious then read my full review on my blog but otherwise just know that 98% of this was a good book)

**Read the full review on Wordpress: Pooled Ink

From the first few chapters, I could tell that I was going to love this one to an obsessive degree—it was the kind of book that I wanted to pre-order before I had even finished reading it. Broody, atmospheric, and perfectly encapsulating the feeling of the wind swept, lonely Oregon coast line, this book had a little bit of everything I love—the hypnotic magic of the sea, doomed love stories, poetic prose, misunderstood witches, and deeply complex, multi-layered characters. A little like a cross between Sarah Addison Allen and Maggie Stiefvater, THE WICKED DEEP is both unique and perfectly tapped into the kind of lyrical, haunting story I love the best. You MUST check this one!

Wicked Deep has a dreamy quality that I thought was mesmerizing. I was enchanted by Shea Ernshaw's writing and the story took several twists and turns that surprised me. The location seems to be partly real places and partly a dreamscape. I think I'd like to live in Sparrow and I'd love to read Shea's next book in a sunny orchard on an island. I was sad to leave Penny's world. I too have seen the ghostly shipwrecks by moonlight and felt the sometimes evil and sometimes bounty of the ocean. A great read. Buy this book.

Unpopular opinion time: I just didn't think it was that great? At least this book's pretty, I'll give you that.

Writing was okay. good.
Storywise, it was pretty meh. Pretty predictable.

It just didn't excite me. I didn't have fun reading it, nor was I interested in knowing the fate of these characters. I skipped and skimmed and lo and behold, I was right. I predicted it and I was glad I skipped ahead because I didn't want anymore of my time wasted. Life is too short to read okayish books. No offense to the author and readers of this novel.

I loved the writing and the mythology of this book. It was so well thought out and well presented. I enjoyed learning each new little bit of the backstory, and the writing flowed really well.

However, a big twist fell flat for me because I didn't feel like I knew the character in question well enough for it to have any impact, and part of the epilogue seemed to negate part of the climax for me.

Despite those things, though, I really enjoyed reading this and I'll look forward to selling it and reading other titles by the author.

Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.

I'm not sure if I like the book. It really looks good. Unfortunately I bought the audiobook version of it. The narrator's voice is horrible! She is very difficult to understand. I'm not sure if it's just her voice or she's standing too close to the microphone. I've tried it on different speakers and it's still the same. If that's not bad enough at the end of the sentence her voice trails off and squeaks. She's giving me a headache. Hi wish I had bought the Kindle version because I'd really like to read it. But I'm not to buy anything else. I spent enough on the audiobook.

This book absolutely did not disappoint. We follow the story of Penny Talbot and the town plagued by the curse of the Swan sisters. But the town deserves it for what they've done to the sisters.

I thought I could see the ending coming a mile away, but it fooled me sure enough. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good witch/curse story with an original plot. The twists and turns kept me reading, and I finished this gem of a novel relatively quickly.

Definitely recommended!

I loved this book! The magic and history are woven in such a way, that I was enchanted from the very first page. The characters are well-developed. Sparrow, Oregon is definitely on my list of fictional towns I would love to see!

‘Love is an enchantress — devious and wild. It sneaks up behind you, soft and gentle and quiet, just before it slits your throat.’ .
—Shea Ernshaw, The Wicked Deep ??✨.
.
• When a book is described as ‘Hocus Pocus meets Practical Magic,’ you don’t have to tell me twice. ??? .

This is one of the most beautifully written books I have read in a long time. I'm still just reeling from it being over. This book was a roller coaster of emotions for sure. it's almost a cross between a ghost story, murder mystery, folklore, Hocus pocus, practical magic, a little bit of romance and a siren story. Truly this book has a little bit of everything for everyone.
The cover is absolutely gorgeous and shimmers in the light.

Very very good book! ugh I'm just at a loss for words. just read this!

This book positively drips with witchy magic and spooky atmosphere, from the skeletal shipwrecks around Lumiere island to its fruit trees and lavender tea. Seductively, lyrically written - this is a story you can dive into, revel in, and only reluctantly surface from.

This book follows Penny Talbot and Bo Calvert on a wild ride of romance and adventure that navigates through a witchy legend of epic proportions.

I rate this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 for the following reasons:

My Thoughts On The Book:
The book starts with awesome imagery, and you almost feel like you are right there watching these accused witches drown in the Pacific Ocean. I like how the first chapter ends with not only mystery but a sense of foreboding as well. I didn't really like how Penny treated Bo (an outsider) when he first met her. I do like that even though Penny was rude to him, Bo saves her from Lon who tried to drown her in the water by forcing her to swim when she didn't want to. As Penny tells the story of the Swan Sisters it's hard not to become entranced by the unbelievableness of the details, so much so that you can almost envision Bo's look of incredulousness on his face. And even though it doesn't mention his thoughts that's almost how you think it would go. The way Penny describes Lumiere Island you can see her confliction with it especially knowing how townspeople treated her father going missing. The way that Penny describes how she knows things and which girls are possessed by the Swan Sisters is so frightening yet intriguing because the author could be seeing right into my brain and how I feel it would go. Penny is relatable on so many levels. This slow burn romance that is building between Bo and Penny is nice to read but is so damn frustrating at times when you just want it to happen. Bo's mysteriousness is very annoying at times though and so that was frustrating to read until he started opening up more and trusting Penny more with his secrets. The slow build in the story, in general, was sometimes very irritating and the secrets behind both their answers were aggravating for me to read. I don't, in general, have patience and this is one of my most hated things about most books is their slow world and character building and while I know that almost 100% of the time it's necessary it doesn't make it any easier for me. When Bo was stopped by Olivia you could feel the utter jealousy, anger, and fear that Penny held inside. I wasn't expecting the twist that Bo finally throws at Penny or his outright denial to believe in a curse that is 200 years old. Man oh man when Penny and Bo share that romantic moment it made my heart flutter, it was shameful how it made me feel. And when Penny finds out her dad secretly bought books about the Swan Sisters and curses you could feel her utter shock so vividly. And then yet another twist happens and it reveals where Hazel really is. MY GOD! I was feeling the crazy ominous feeling that Shea Ernshaw was giving off at the end of Chapter 18. When the ending wrapped up I felt so in conflict for myself but more so for Bo, and it was gut-wrenching. All in all this book was a great read. The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is because some of the plot points didn't make sense and it was very slow in places. All in all though I enjoyed this book so very much. I'm already aching that it's over

Would I recommend this book:
If you loved Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic and have an affinity for the Salem Witch Trials then this book will vibe for you and I definitely recommend this book for you. If however, you aren't into any one of those things or Paranormal Fantasy/Romance, you probably will not enjoy what this book is throwing down.

******* I received this book from Netgalley on behalf of Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for my honest review and feedback. The opinions herein are of my own volution and have not been swayed in any way by Netgalley or the publisher*******

I'm not entirely certain I have the right words to describe this book.
It's dark, luscious, written in such a way that you FEEL you are in Sparrow, on the island, in the shoes and minds and hearts of the characters.
Shea Ernshaw reels us in, planting her characters in our hearts, and then throwing out massive twists and dragging our hearts along with her, and honestly I was TOTALLY. HERE. for the ride.

If you're looking for a lush fantasy, that stands on its own and its fully atmospheric, this book is 100% for you.

This was really different than anything I have read lately, with a lot of twists that I didn't see coming. The mystery is awesome and it was hard to put down. It's hard to say anything about this without giving too much away, but I liked Penny and Bo and this weird little town that celebrates Swan Season when they know people are going to die. I could really picture this small town on the coast. The writing was really good, I wish this was a series.

It's your basic YA paranormal book. It's not scary, the setting is good, the plot is completely predictable. The "big secret" of where the third witch sister is is incredibly obvious. The end -- when a major character "suddenly remembers" how to end the curse -- is eye roll- worthy deus ex machina. But it's not bad. It's tame and a bit lame. It's light.
Go ahead and read it, but don't expect much. It's entirely forgettable.

They come back every year taking over the bodies of 3 local girls and lure at least 3 boys to their death in the ocean.

Penny lost her father 3 years ago when he went out and never returned. She lives with her mother on Lumiere island. This year she hires a “outsider” named Bo to halo her with the lighthouse. No has his own reason for coming to the area, and during the time when the Swan sisters are active.

I couldn't put this book down. It was wild with love and torment and revenge. It was so descriptive, I felt like I was right there on the Island with them. I could almost smell the salty air and feel the breeze. The story flowed so nicely and I was caught up in it that I just poured through the chapters. I lived the characters and thought the author gave them to much depth that they took me to a different place!! Definitely one of the best reads in a long time!

The wicked deep was fun and addictive read. This town is cursed. Every summer 3 girls that was drowned because the town's people thought they were witches. The girls come back in the summer and drown boys in the water. I really enjoyed this one. I had read more to figure out what was going on. I do wish the story ended a little different. But after you read it you understand why it has end that way. ??

I don’t know how this book got so much hate because honestly it was awesome. It had the creepy, Salem type feel to it that was really great to go through, a mystery plaguing their island, handsome boys drowning. It was a great story! I think maybe it’s because everything seemed so confusing up to the end instead of mysterious, but I really loved this book. It was a great, quick read and a fun adventure!

Overall, just...okay. I hung in there until the end because the plot was super interesting and I wanted to see how it all ended. I liked the relationship between Penny and Bo and how it all unfolded. I did guess the twist, but I still liked it. I was waiting for that moment that just sparked the rest of the book on, and it just kind of stagnated.

This was quite possibly one of the best “witchy” books that I’ve ever read. Practical Magic meets Hocus Pocus is a pretty good description. Surprising, heartfelt and atmospheric. I devoured it. Definitely recommended.

I loved the story line, characters were great and story was easy to read and follow and it didn't drag out. What I didn't like was that it was predictable and I knew right away what was going on. That may not be the case for anyone else but for me it was. I liked the book and wasn't disappointed but not my favorite read.

Thoughts are good. Thoughts are important. Thank goodness for that, because I had a lot of them in this book. Hence, this is probably going to be long and winding and might not even make any particular point.

First, thank you, book, for being the first binge read that I've had in a while. I appreciated it when I was feeling the drop into a book slump. You got me out of the deep...which is ironic since you are the wicked deep?

Basically, I was sold on this premise the moment that I heard about it. It said that it was the Salem Witch Trials meets Practical Magic meets Hocus Pocus. I couldn't read that and not use the wise words of Britney Spears, GIMME GIMME MORE, GIMME MORE, GIMME MORE. I love things about witches, and to name drop, the brilliance that is the Sanderson Sisters? YES PLEASE.

However, it was kind of Hocus Pocus and kind of not? I wanted more sister action. I mean, did the Sanderson Sisters love each other? o.o Why, never, but they were joined together at the hip and stuck together like a good evil sister coven. Other items were like Hocus Pocus, but if you're looking for the iconic sister trio, you might want to look somewhere else because these sisters are not in it to win it together.

The writing was interesting. At times, it was brilliant. Other times, it was like, girl, you're trying too hard. I believe this book was going for magic realism, and with magic realism, you usually get this magical, lyrical prose. However, there was some lines that I was reading that I kept thinking, really? I don't think you really mean that? And then it would be all easy, breezy great writing and then BAM. There would be this sentence that was DEEP and I'm like, woah, there, chill, book, I was not prepared for this emo-ness. I spent about a half hour just snapchatting my friend some lines. The flow and a good deal of her writing was so easy to read, though, and it did help the binge read.

The biggest complaint about this book that I have seen is the romance. Yes, it's 100% instalove. For suresies. No doubts. But I didn't mind it honestly. I mean, did I side-eye majorly? Of course. But it was entertaining instalove, and I was more than fine with reading it. No fiery deep in my soul about it, but Penny and Bo worked.

Where this book shone for me was the atmosphere. Me and an atmosphere can make or break it. If an atmosphere is good but everything else is terrible, I will still read the book because of that greatness. This book did such a brilliant job with creating this eerie, spooky feeling, and I could literally see the mist coming off the water. I just could have lived in the atmosphere and setting of this book forever. I will definitely consider anything else Ernshaw does in the future because there are so few books that bring the spooky, eerie feeling to it. It was never creepy, but the whole setting and feel to the story was just so much wonderful.

The characters were interesting. I feel like a lot of people made really questionable and stupid decisions. I really didn't like many of them. I didn't dislike them though. I just didn't feel much for any of them. I had a LOT of questions for them and when I was giving weird summaries to my friend about what was going on, I realized they were making some super insane decisions. And now spoiler time because thoughts:

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS: Okay, I felt no change between the shift between Penny and Hazel? I mean, they really can't have the same exact voice and feel to them and I'm supposed to believe that Hazel was there the whole time? I felt like the plot twist didn't feel as organic to me since I should have been able to pick up the differences. Also, like, Bo just wanted to murder a bunch of people and this is okay????? Anyone that's all like, "Let's get down to business to murder the young teenage girls that just happen to have a crazy witch in it" is not a favorite of mine? END OF SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS.

The plot had its moments and it didn't. I was in deep with it, but also it got super questionable at other parts. Like, people are off being murdered but let's stay in a cottage for 3 days and then wander around an apple orchard? ALSO, CAN WE HAVE A MOMENT BECAUSE THE MAJOR PLOT TWIST GOT ME? I might have been too busy snapchatting, but I mean, my pride is bruised because I really didn't see it coming.

Okay, so I went super in-depth there. THIS BOOK JUST MADE ME HAVE SO THOUGHTS. I might have been a little too rough with the review at parts, but I think the atmosphere, the pacing, the writing for the most part, and the premise were great. I sped through this book so fast, and it was just so easy to read. I did have quite a few issues with it, but I did have fun. This book is basically the ideal book for fall or Halloween, and it'S JUST REALLY REALLY PRETTY. Totally valid reasons to pick it up. XD Just know you're going to have an interesting time. 3 crowns and a Belle rating!

I really don’t know how to write a review for this one. My feelings have honestly been all over the place since I finished reading. So this is a heads up that this review might not really make a lot of sense. So let’s do a breakdown, I fell like that would be better.

>>What I liked<<
the writing! I fell under a spell while absorbing her writing. It was so magical and it really flowed. Without a doubt, Shea Ernshaw is a great storyteller. Since this is a witchy book, I’m going to say she put a spell on me. Yes, I ‘Dad Joked’ you!

Anywho, the premise of this book really grabbed me. It’s about dead witches who come back every summer in the bodies of Sparrow girls to drown boys as revenge on the town for their deaths. There was an air of mystery in this book that made keep reading. I had to know who the girls were. As the story slowly goes on we are hit with one secret after another and I was living for it.

>>What I didn’t<<
I really felt like I was missing key parts of this book. First, the romance. I don’t remember reading where this romance actually bloomed. I felt like it just happened. And to be honest, I’m not here for it. I didn’t enjoy it really. We never really got a lot of information on Bo. so if I as a reader didn’t get a lot of information on Bo, how the hell does Penny know him? Especially enough to love him?

>>Final Thoughts<<
Overall, there is so much for I want to say about it, but I don’t want to give anything away. This book did shock me and love that.

I would have given this book 4 stars just for the writing alone. However, I just couldn’t give it more than 3 stars because of some of those twists. That doesn’t stop me from recommending it though. It was still a good read, I just didn’t fall in love with it.

If you read this please message me so we can talk about it. If you haven’t, then read it and then message me so we can talk about it! I feel like this is going to be a book where you want to bounce your thoughts off someone else who’s read it. I fell like so many people are going to come away with different views because of the mystery and the way the secrets unfold.

This was a wonderful read. It's been a while since a book drew me in so completely. I almost read the entire book in one sitting. I would have been able to finish it if I did not have to go to work, but I enjoyed the story line a lot. I look forward to the future books this author will be writing.

I read this book in two days. It's deeply captivating, enchanting, heart breaking, and haunting. The characters are so well written, and the author does an amazing job at describing the rainy coastal town where the book takes place. I can't wait to read what Shea Ernshaw writes next.

Brilliantly set. You could almost smell the damp, Oregon air as you read. Some may find this book a little bit of a slow build but within that build is critical content. Not fluff. The ending was very unexpected and left a smile on my face. Oddly, being a book about witches and murder.

First of all, the setting of the story was amazing. I'm away at college, missing home, and this was the perfect book to fix my homesickness. The way she describes the atmosphere and the little town of Sparrow, had be feeling right at home (except for the yearly month of death thing).
Besides that, it was just an amazing read. The pace was great, which is a big thing for me, because I get bored easily. The romance is the right amount of sappy; not disgustedly sugary and unrealistic. There's so much more to be said, but that would require all the spoils, so just read it!

The writing was very repetitive in a way that is insulting to the reader's intelligence, the writing presents as new author still learning the craft. AGain, the story is imaginative and interesting, but writing style needs work.

The Wicked Deep is a young-adult novel that I couldn’t put down after the first two pages. (And I’m an old adult!) Beautifully written, the story is haunting and poignant while remaining gripping and thoroughly entertaining all the way through. Can’t wait for the film!

This book was so so good. The writing and setting was super atmospheric and very immersive. I practically read this in a single sitting because I was so engrossed. The ending was a bit of a let down for me, personally, but I would still highly recommend this book if you enjoy a good, creepy, witchy read.

3.5 stars

I love books about witches and had seen so many people talking about this book, so I was pretty excited to read it.

I loved Penny and Bo. There are several other characters, but I don’t want to go into details because spoilers. The relationships are one of the best parts of this story.

Plot wise, it was just okay. I was expecting a lot of tension that wasn’t there and at times, the atmosphere felt forced. The build up is slow and the first half or so of the book felt meh—I could have easily walked away from it. It was the last quarter of the book that redeemed everything for me.

Overall, it was a quick and easy read with characters who really carried the story. I look forward to seeing what Shea writes next.

**Huge thanks to Simon Pulse for providing the arc free of charge**

I wanted to like this book really bad but i couldn't. Like other reviews i didn't mind the narrator it helped with the haunting feel, which i really liked. i also liked the back story of the book with the witches. That actually was my favorite part and i wish the book had been more about that. There was to much teen drama in it ( not the fun kind the dump kind, where you roll your eyes in how ridiculous they are being). I know i'm reading a YA book but i felt like this book was for a younger audience not me. I also wasn't a fan of all the metaphors where the real explanation or a more realistic one would have done better. I don't need five minutes of how love feels to them when we coved this already. I also found myself skipping ahead of some romantic scenes and scenery descriptions. It wasn't my favorite book and it might be okay for younger audience -tweens- maybe but i wouldn't recommend this to any adult or young adult looking for a slightly modern fantasyish book.

A spooky and incredible story about drowned sisters haunting a small town, coming back, possessing girls and drowning people, and most importantly the year things finally were settled. It was so good!

3.5 out of 5. I think this is a fun book for those that enjoy Hocus Pocus and witches. I had a couple issues with the plot and how certain things happened too fast while others seemed to drag on. Overall it was a fun and it’s pretty short if you want a quick read also

This book was amazing but beginning was slow almost DnF but I keep pushing through.... I'm glad I finish because everyone in the town has secrets and not saying anything..... When you find out what going on you understand and wishing everything didnt happen the way it did....

This...this was a very uncomfortable book to read. I wanted to like it, but it was painfully unrealistic and the whole message was borderline antifeminist. A town that attracts tourists (but not law enforcement?) for its annual celebration of three sisters who were drowned as witches also has at least three drownings of young men every year. These sisters, who were sexually liberated and maybe witches, return to possess local girls to wreak their vengeance. Penny, a local girl with some uncanny talents of her own, has no desire to stop or understand what's happening, and only shakes off her inertia when a boy she personally likes is threatened.

I *could* have believed this. If the author had focused on some kind of supernatural guilt or curse element that kept the townsfolk there, it would have been better: why else would you stay in a town where boys drown and girls are possessed if you had children? And I *could* have believed Penny's depressed indifference if the author spent more time reflecting on how humans can get used to almost anything, including annual supernatural terror. But the whole thing was so slapdash and showed no understanding of psychology that it seemed like people were doing things basically at random.

Girls are kidnapped on the suspicion of being possessed, and nobody does anything. Girls are tied up and held again their will by men who demonstrate a distinct lack of understanding of consent in other circumstances, and nobody does anything. An entire town is held hostage by their fears of women who are too sexy, and nobody learns any lessons from that, not about feminism, not about compassion, not about temperance. Not one person thinks to say to any of the ghosts, "hey, we're sorry for what our ancestors did, what can we do to appease you?" I'm not saying that should work, but nobody even asks? Two hundred years and still nobody takes these women seriously?

And then, the reason for giving it one star:

"'No one else has to die.'
'Except three innocent girls.'
'Better than a hundred more boys.'"

Look, I get that the author is talking about weighing three lives against a hundred. But the fact that it's gendered and the fact that it's a man who's deciding to slaughter three possessed women--that's not okay. I don't understand how this got to press. This is horrible.

And then the twist was not much of a twist, and the whole thing left me feeling pretty sour. I finished it to see if it would make good on some of these inadequacies, but it didn't.

If you want magic bakeries and curses and wonder, read The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender and skip The Wicked Deep. If you want a story of vengeful women and supernatural triumph, read The Price Guide to the Occult. Basically, just skip this and read Leslye Walton.