Book Review: The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

The Wicked Deep

By Shea Ernshaw

More Details:

BOOK TYPE:
Fantasy

PAGES:
308
Published March 6th 2018 by Simon Pulse

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Synopsis:

Welcome to the cursed town of Sparrow…

Where, two centuries ago, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town.

Now, for a brief time each summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbor and pulling them under.

Like many locals, seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But this year, on the eve of the sisters’ return, a boy named Bo Carter arrives; unaware of the danger he has just stumbled into.

Mistrust and lies spread quickly through the salty, rain-soaked streets. The townspeople turn against one another. Penny and Bo suspect each other of hiding secrets. And death comes swiftly to those who cannot resist the call of the sisters.

But only Penny sees what others cannot. And she will be forced to choose: save Bo, or save herself.

My Review: 

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