The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

“We wait for death. We hold our breath. We know it’s coming, and still we flinch when it claws at our throats and pulls us under.” 

This book was everything I wanted it to be. it’s the perfect atmospheric Witchy read. The descriptions are so vivid and beautiful. Also the cover is stunning!! This book is going down as one of my favourite witchy reads.

The Wicked Deep is set in the small town of Sparrow off the coast of Oregon. Two centuries ago, three sisters were accused of witchcraft. They were drowned in the pacific with stones tied to there ankles. Now every year during the Swan Season, beginning June 1st until the summer solstice. The three sisters return by claiming the body of three teenage girls. Marguerite, Aurora and Hazel each lure a boy to their death, by drowning in the harbour.

I really loved reading this. I was pulled into the story right away. loved the mystery of which girl was a swan sister. I did figure out the big “plot twist” of the story way before it was revealed, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.

The curse of the swan sisters is so woven into the story, I love how the lore is such a main aspect of the story.How the town has just accepted that boys drown every June , and they don’t do anything to stop it. I loved seeing the little entries about the sisters from when they were alive and how the town came to the conclusion that they were witches.

“Love is an enchantress–devious and wild. It sneaks up behind you, soft and gentle and quiet, just before it slits your throat.”

Penny, is a fantastic narrator. She was really easy to relate to. She lives on an island with her mother who has mentally checked out after her husband disappeared three years ago. She prefers to spend her time alone. One afternoon she meets a boy named Bo, he is a boy from out of town looking for work. There was a time she was looking for help but at this time she refuses him the job. He becomes entangled in her story both having secrets of there own. Bo is such a sweetie, I really loved his character.

Overall, I loved the haunting lyrical writing. The characters were well developed, the witches were captivating and the romance was sweet. I highly recommend this book if you love Hocus Pocus, it’s a fun book to read around Halloween.

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