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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
bethancy's review
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
This book was so atmospheric! It's the perfect witchy autumn read and I loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Murder, Death of parent, Grief, and Kidnapping
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
giulianalb99's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Si bien este tipo de libros no es de los que yo suelo leer, me ha encantado y me ha sorprendido a la vez.
No le doy 5 estrellas porque al principio se me ha hecho un pelín lento pero tiene 4,5 sin duda para mí.
Es un libro muy bonito que a la vez me ha partido el corazón por completo. Tanto el tipo de magia que tiene como el amor entre los protagonistas es súper diferente a otros libros de fantasía y eso me ha encantado. Lo recomiendo 100% y además es cortísimo así que fácilmente se puede leer en días.
No le doy 5 estrellas porque al principio se me ha hecho un pelín lento pero tiene 4,5 sin duda para mí.
Es un libro muy bonito que a la vez me ha partido el corazón por completo. Tanto el tipo de magia que tiene como el amor entre los protagonistas es súper diferente a otros libros de fantasía y eso me ha encantado. Lo recomiendo 100% y además es cortísimo así que fácilmente se puede leer en días.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Suicide, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol
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
pollyhall's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Great atomsphere. I could actually picture the town,island and the lighthouse. I never saw the twist coming. Great read anytime of the year but espically great for Halloween .
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Torture, Child death, Death of parent, Violence, Confinement, Kidnapping, Death, and Grief
theespressoedition's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Shea Ernshaw continues to amaze me with her creativity, intrigue, and ability to suck me into a story (so much so that I never want it to end).
After reading Winterwood last autumn, I decided that this year I would pick up her even more well-known novel, The Wicked Deep. I'm so glad I did. This book blew me away (though I'm not at all surprised by it)!
The moment I began to read, I felt as though I was in the story. I wasn't just reading words on a page, I was watching the Swan Sisters drown, I was hearing their spooky singing each year on the shore, and I was experiencing the fear of the townspeople and the awe of the tourists. It was fascinating!
As soon as I knew the underlying plot, I began to try and unravel the mystery. I was desperate to understand what happened and why, where Penny's father went, who Bo really is, and if there will be a happily-ever-after in this "spooky" story. A note on the spook factor: I'm someone who is scared by the tiniest things and even some fantasy novels are too much for my overactive imagination. However, despite the seemingly frightening content in this book, I was never uncomfortable or afraid. I would advise caution, however, if you're a more sensitive reader like myself. Just be aware that this does have a "horror" style story to it (though the whimsical, hauntingly beautiful writing gives it a less creepy feeling)!
I was very satisfied with the ending. While some may find it slightly frustrating, I enjoyed the way it was written. It felt as though it wrapped up all of the things that needed wrapping and while it wasn't all "perfect," it definitely gave me the right sense of closure.
I can honestly say that Shea has become one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read whatever comes next!
After reading Winterwood last autumn, I decided that this year I would pick up her even more well-known novel, The Wicked Deep. I'm so glad I did. This book blew me away (though I'm not at all surprised by it)!
The moment I began to read, I felt as though I was in the story. I wasn't just reading words on a page, I was watching the Swan Sisters drown, I was hearing their spooky singing each year on the shore, and I was experiencing the fear of the townspeople and the awe of the tourists. It was fascinating!
As soon as I knew the underlying plot, I began to try and unravel the mystery. I was desperate to understand what happened and why, where Penny's father went, who Bo really is, and if there will be a happily-ever-after in this "spooky" story. A note on the spook factor: I'm someone who is scared by the tiniest things and even some fantasy novels are too much for my overactive imagination. However, despite the seemingly frightening content in this book, I was never uncomfortable or afraid. I would advise caution, however, if you're a more sensitive reader like myself. Just be aware that this does have a "horror" style story to it (though the whimsical, hauntingly beautiful writing gives it a less creepy feeling)!
I was very satisfied with the ending. While some may find it slightly frustrating, I enjoyed the way it was written. It felt as though it wrapped up all of the things that needed wrapping and while it wasn't all "perfect," it definitely gave me the right sense of closure.
I can honestly say that Shea has become one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read whatever comes next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content
drowningfrantically'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)manola's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content