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queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 ⭐ CW: death, death of a parent, underage drinking
The Wicked Deep is a YA contemporary fantasy that is like Hocus Pocus meets Practical Magic, but in Oregon. This is the second book by this author I've read, and although it was beautifully written and atmospheric, I think I preferred Winterwood more.
We follow Penny Talbot, a girl who lives on an island with a lighthouse off the coast of Sparrow, Oregon. Sparrow has a tradition every summer called the Swan Season, based on the story of three sisters who were sentenced to drowning for being witches two hundred years ago. Every June 1st, mysterious singing comes from the harbor until three girls are possessed by the sisters, and then boys start drowning.
This is a story about love and revenge. It started out as just a ghost story with some witch hunt elements, but quickly turned into a love story with an undercurrent of revenge. I liked the concept, but I found myself bored with the romance, and I wanted more from the sisters and their need for revenge. I thought it was a bit too simple that they just kept killing boys for two hundred years because they were drowned.
It just missed the mark a bit for me, but I think those that enjoy romance with a dash of supernatural elements would like this.
The Wicked Deep is a YA contemporary fantasy that is like Hocus Pocus meets Practical Magic, but in Oregon. This is the second book by this author I've read, and although it was beautifully written and atmospheric, I think I preferred Winterwood more.
We follow Penny Talbot, a girl who lives on an island with a lighthouse off the coast of Sparrow, Oregon. Sparrow has a tradition every summer called the Swan Season, based on the story of three sisters who were sentenced to drowning for being witches two hundred years ago. Every June 1st, mysterious singing comes from the harbor until three girls are possessed by the sisters, and then boys start drowning.
This is a story about love and revenge. It started out as just a ghost story with some witch hunt elements, but quickly turned into a love story with an undercurrent of revenge. I liked the concept, but I found myself bored with the romance, and I wanted more from the sisters and their need for revenge. I thought it was a bit too simple that they just kept killing boys for two hundred years because they were drowned.
It just missed the mark a bit for me, but I think those that enjoy romance with a dash of supernatural elements would like this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
katari636's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Holy cow. I couldn’t put this book down. Finished it in one day. Excellent storytelling that leaves you captivated from start to finish.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, and Alcohol
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
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
catcherntheryebread's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Interesting plot, fun read, great pacing, well written characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Alcohol and Confinement
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
drowningtaylorleilani's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, Cursing, Murder, and Death
courtnoodles's review
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
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)his_fav_bookworm11's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was amazing the reason it’s not higher is because I kind of expected the plot twist because of how she knew and I was not a big fan of the ending but still a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Alcohol