The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

Age Range: YA
Pages: 320
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: 03-06-2019
Genre: YA/Fantasy/Paranomal

Rating: 3 Stars

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 Thoughts:

I picked up this book because the synopsis gave me Hocus Pocus Vibes. Well, and because the cover is GORGEOUS. I was so ready to love this book but unfortunately, it just didn't hit the mark for me.  I enjoyed reading the book, but I felt like a book that I had read before.  The plot, the characters, the setting all felt predictable and something that I have seen before and will probably see again.

The book started out strong,  I was very intrigued by the Swan season and the town of a sparrow. Even the characters were interesting at first, but as I read I felt like so many of the characters were bland cliches and, at least to me, felt very one-dimensional.  As much as I wanted to, I just couldn't make myself care about the characters. Even the main character, Penny, while barrable was not a particularly memorable character.  I just didn't find myself connecting and rooting for her in the way that I had wanted.

The plotline was my other issue for this book.  I found the book utterly predictable. I was able to guess the entire plot from about 35 pages in.  I felt like there was this huge build-up to a big reveal that I was able to guess it from a mile away.  With that being said, I didn't hate the book.  In fact, I did have an enjoyable reading experience I just felt that the synopsis was so strong, I had hoped for a stronger more unique plot. If you have been wanting to read it, I suggest you try it. While I didn't love it, I did enjoy my reading experience.  However, I would suggest maybe getting it from your local library or a thrift store, because we all know books can get expensive, and if you are like me and don't love the story you are not out as much money.