'The Wicked Deep' is a book that will sweep you up with it's eerie premise and atmospheric writing. It's perfectly paced, with a detailed setting that feels so real. I devoured this book in one sitting.

I was kept in suspense, even if the 'twist' was pretty predictable, though it was super rewarding to discover how it all worked together. There are so many threads of mystery in this book, for Penny's missing dad, Bo's dead brother, anode course, the witches possessing the bodies of teenage girls to enact their revenge. I wouldn't exactly call this magical realism, it was more of a contemporary paranormal, but the history behind the witches was as exciting as the present day narrative itself!

I loved the mix of first and third person, it was super effective, and I really enjoyed Penny as a character. She's reserved but steadfast, not the typical kind of protagonist, but her voice was engaging, and even though the exposition could get quite heavy at times, it made sense with her character.

I shall definitely be reading this again!

I started this book but had such vivid nightmares that I had to stop reading it - the first time this has happened to me. Sorry.

This book will suck you in and keep you hooked right until the end. It's moody, atmospheric, and soaked in mystery. I've seen many people say this would be a great book to read around Halloween, and it would, but also I think it would be a great book to read if you happen to be by the sea at any point.

It didn't take long before I was absorbed by this story. Penny is a mysterious main character, she has a lot of secrets, and she's not necessarily the most reliable narrator. Arguably the setting is as much a main character in this book as Penny. With its sinister history, unusual traditions, and closed community, the small town of Sparrow can feel like an entirely different world, a place out of time, where anything might happen. It's the town, its history, and it's curse that will suck you into this book.

I really liked how the history of the town, the Swan sisters, and the curse were gradually revealed throughout the book, in the form of short chapters, I think it added texture and depth to the story. 

There is a romance, it fits well with the plot and moves the story forward rather than dragging it down. Bo's a fine love interest, with an interesting back story, but I wish he had been a little bit more fleshed out. I feel like I know more about his experiences than I do about who he is as a person. I do appreciate however that through Penny's conversations with Bo you get to see the town from more of an outsiders perspective. It helped ease me into the world a bit more naturally.

While I did see at least one of the plot twists coming, I did not see the overall ending coming, which made the last few chapters all the more enjoyable. It's the sort of book where you can't help but try to guess what is going on, when I got it right I felt triumphant, when I got it wrong I was delighted by the twist. I'm not going to say much, because the less you know, the better, but the ending is incredibly satisfying, and really fits with the tone of the rest of the book.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, it's my favourite kind of atmospheric and mysterious. I definitely see myself picking it up again, possibly when I'm on holiday this summer. If you're in the mood for something slightly supernatural, with romance and a mystery that will keep you guessing, I highly recommend this!

Atmospheric, lyrical tale with a strong sense of place. The twist isn't particularly well hidden but teens are bound to enjoy the romance & intrigue. A promising debut overall.

This book starts with a legend of three sisters, drowned for witchcraft and the main story is about a town living with the consequences of a curse arising from that injustice. The author's style is so heavily influenced by Alice Hoffman that it was off-putting for me, it pulled me out of the story. That being said if you haven't read Hoffman then this book would be delightful, magical, and beautifully written I would recommend it to teens (the target audience of course), as it is faster paced with a more defined plot, and has more of an explicit paranormal element, than Hoffman's work.

I was drawn to this title by the synopsis, and it didn't disappoint! If I hadn't had to sleep, I would have read it in one sitting. I loved the atmosphere and was completely drawn in to the town of Sparrow, and the lives of its inhabitants. I particularly liked the juxtaposition of the current day story with that of the Swan sisters. A perfect read for a cold, winter's night!

This book was NOT what I expected....but in the best possible way.

The book intrigued me from the start, witches, a centuries-old curse and a little town called Sparrow - sounds perfect right?

This book dragged me under really quickly. The story was quick paced and addictive. It sort of got under my skin in that I couldn't stop thinking about it even when I wasn't reading it. If I'd had the time I'd probably have devoured this in one sitting.

What I did not expect was the mind-blowing revelation towards the end of the book. It was exceptionally clever to the point where I thought I'd spotted something earlier on in the book but the author then convinced me that I was wrong until bam at the end I was just shocked.

At his point, I wanted to re-read the entire thing to see what I'd missed!

Then all the unanswered questions were revealed and I think my poor brain may have melted by this point.

I really, really enjoyed this book it had the perfect mixture of creepy, mystery and romance to make it really good and I loved the flitting narrative.

I'm giving this 4.5 stars because the characters and the plot twists were brilliant...I'm just a little torn about the ending. I can understand the choice, I'm just torn!

Overall, this is highly recommended to lovers of fantasy and mystery!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I knew I was going to love this. I have always been really interested in the witch trials and although the trials themselves don’t feature heavily within the book, it was still great. It was spooky and mysterious and I could not put it down (I read this book in one day, that does not happen very often.) The three witches are what I loved the most in this book, they were complex and well developed in a really intriguing way.

There were of course parts I was not in love with, I predicted a lot of what happened (but I feel like that’s a running theme with me and mysteries etc.) and I was not feeling the love interest/ romance.

Likes: Sister witches, addictive writing, lots of layers, elements of historical fiction

Dislikes: I saw a fair amount of the twists coming, some of the heavily featured characters were unexplored, insta-love ain’t for me

The Wicked Deep was one of the highly anticipated debut novels to be released this year and I for one was excited. I counted myself super lucky when I got granted this book and I knew I'd get through it quickly. And I did.

But not because I adored it.

Let's get into this review!

What I Liked

This book was incredibly atmospheric. The use of language and everything about it leaves you feel like you're lost in the fog most of the time and the rest like you're enjoying a languid summers day. Shea Ernshaw has a talent for description, for sure.

The only other thing I liked was that it's a super easy read so you can get through it quickly.

What I Didn't Like

I hate to say it but I found this book incredibly dull.

Where the language was pretty, the characters were weak. By the end of the book the only character I felt I knew was Hazel. I know the book is supposed to be a mystery but it takes it too far. The lack of character made what was already an insta-romance even more annoying. I was rolling my eyes and I couldn't find it in me to care about them. It was more serves you right than heart-wrenching and I didn't want that.

I didn't feel like very much happened in the book but, honestly, it could have and I just don't remember.

My final issue was the whole guy saves the girl from a creep scene at the beginning. Am I the only one who is so over that crap.

Overall

All in all this book just wasn't for me. I can see the appeal and if you like floaty, mysterious books then this one is definitely for you.

It just...it wasn't what I hoped it'd be and I must confess that I'm a little disappointed.

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.

Thank you to Netgalley, Shea Ernshaw and Simon & Schuster for my ARC of The Wicked Deep in exchange for an honest review.


Summary


Two centuries ago, the Swan sisters arrived in the tiny town of Sparrow, opened their perfumery and seduced all the men. Accused as witches, the sisters were thrown into the sea and drowned. Years later they still haunt the town once a year for the whole month of June, possessing three of the town's girls and killing off the young men in revenge.


Penny Talbot believes in the ghost stories and when Bo Carter turns up in town looking for answers she's determined to protect him, whatever the cost.



Review


This book was super easy to read, the writing is beautiful and the story was well presented and clearly very well thought out. I loved the idea of a modern day curse and get why it's compared to the likes of Hocus Pocus. The characters were interesting and there was a lot of legend/myth background which I love.


I found the insta-love trope a bit insincere and I can't say I felt a connection between the two characters but I understand why it had to be that way (without giving anything away) and I thought the twist was really great and it caught me completely unawares. It was very well plotted so that for me, I didn't even consider it!


If you like books about magic, legends and an edge of creepiness then this is definitely one for you!