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ash_ton's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
really good! definitely did not expect that plot twist.
i think i would have liked to see a bit more of the swan sisters' past, especially hazel
i think i would have liked to see a bit more of the swan sisters' past, especially hazel
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Grief, and Alcohol
fionamatilda's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Misogyny
puddleshoes's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Murder, and Misogyny
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Death, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, and Grief
lilifane's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this, and I made some discoveries about my reading preferences at the same time.
This is not new, but I really love books with this kind of setting and atmosphere. A small coastal town, an island nearby, the ocean, gloomy weather, wind and waves. Bonus points if it's located in the Pacific North West. And if there is magic in the air and some kind of mystery, I'm all in.
The other thing is: I don't really care for romance plots. But here I realized if a romance is used as a plot device, I don't mind. I actually enjoy it, just pretty words on paper. And because it's not supposed to be believable or realistic, it doesn't even matter if it's insta lovey or overly dramatic.
I have to say, that the characters were probably the weakest part of the story, I liked them, but they were one dimensional and again, mostly plot devices. I enjoyed the mysteries in the plot a lot, though. And I like how all the small details fit perfectly together in the end. Really loved most of the revelations and how they were presented, in such small but impactful scenes.
The showdown was a little too much for my taste, and I'm a bit conflicted about the ending.
This is not new, but I really love books with this kind of setting and atmosphere. A small coastal town, an island nearby, the ocean, gloomy weather, wind and waves. Bonus points if it's located in the Pacific North West. And if there is magic in the air and some kind of mystery, I'm all in.
The other thing is: I don't really care for romance plots. But here I realized if a romance is used as a plot device, I don't mind. I actually enjoy it, just pretty words on paper. And because it's not supposed to be believable or realistic, it doesn't even matter if it's insta lovey or overly dramatic.
I have to say, that the characters were probably the weakest part of the story, I liked them, but they were one dimensional and again, mostly plot devices. I enjoyed the mysteries in the plot a lot, though. And I like how all the small details fit perfectly together in the end. Really loved most of the revelations and how they were presented, in such small but impactful scenes.
The showdown was a little too much for my taste, and I'm a bit conflicted about the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, Death, Grief, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
kzkoni's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Death, and Sexism
frantically's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"but they've been murdering young men every summer for 200 years!" so what? we all have our faults
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Grief, Misogyny, Confinement, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, and Death
maple_dove's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
CW: lynching, murder, drowning
The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw takes place in a town called Sparrow, a town cursed two centuries ago by the three Swan sisters: sisters who were all lynched by accusations of witchcraft. Every summer, these sisters each take the body of one girl for revenge, luring boys by the water and drowning them.
The main character is Penny Talbot, and it doesn't take long before we meet a boy named Bo, arriving in Sparrow, having no idea what the hell he just got himself into.
The witch hunt starts, Penny has the ability to see what others cannot, and Penny must make a decision: save Bo, or herself.
Review:
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I saw one thing coming from miles away, but this ending still mentally reeling. 🤯
I Liked:
The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw takes place in a town called Sparrow, a town cursed two centuries ago by the three Swan sisters: sisters who were all lynched by accusations of witchcraft. Every summer, these sisters each take the body of one girl for revenge, luring boys by the water and drowning them.
The main character is Penny Talbot, and it doesn't take long before we meet a boy named Bo, arriving in Sparrow, having no idea what the hell he just got himself into.
The witch hunt starts, Penny has the ability to see what others cannot, and Penny must make a decision: save Bo, or herself.
Review:
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I saw one thing coming from miles away, but this ending still mentally reeling. 🤯
I Liked:
- The dark, mysterious town vibe(s)
- How this book addresses that accusations of witchcraft were used to alienate and control people
This book almost immediately had me gripped, and I was tempted to just binge the entire book in one sitting.
I Didn't Like:
. . . The only things I can think of are things like are lack of action. Although, that's simply because that's not what this book is.
Final Comments:
Overall, I definitely think this was worth the read. Not a favorite, but a good read nonetheless.
As always, I highly encourage checking content warnings before reading a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Grief, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicide, Misogyny, and Infidelity
High school graduates drinking alcohol (graphic), Lynching (graphic), Drowning (graphic)cherryufos's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed reading this book; finished it in only a couple hours after picking it up. I would have rated it 4 stars but the ending ruined it for me.
I didn’t like how Bo was in love with Hazel even after she admitted to killing his brother and Penny’s dad. Plus, they knew each other for like two weeks. There is no way or reason he should have an undying love for his brother’s murderer where he still visits her. I also think he’s doing Penny dirty by being with her while pining for the ghost of the girl who was in her. Just feels icky.
I just wasn’t a big fan of Hazel’s character, she felt naive and too self-important.
But other than the ending, I really enjoyed the book and recommend it!
I just wasn’t a big fan of Hazel’s character, she felt naive and too self-important.
But other than the ending, I really enjoyed the book and recommend it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Misogyny
soppysays's review
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Misogyny, Death, and Grief