The Wicked Deep

by Shea Ernshaw

[Empress of Sass]

First the obligatory disclaimer. I received an eARC of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Also, what follows may contain light spoilers, depending on your personal definition of what constitutes a spoiler, so read on at your own risk.

I think it is safe to say that I absolutely adored this book. I finished it in a single reading, in just over 3 hours. I could not bear to put it down. From start to finish, Shea Ernshaw drew me in with her vivid sensory imagery and haunting prose, and then entrapped me with memorable characters and a heart achingly beautiful story that left me in the best kind of pain when I finished it.

The town of Sparrow and it’s dark history is as intriguing and foreboding as the stormy sea it sits beside. The way the residents have embraced the macabre Swan Season, and the tourist industry that sprung up around the annual drowning deaths was echoed in my own desire to continue reading and learning about the story unfolding.

The love that grows between Penny and Bo is honest and difficult and tragic. While their romance comes on quickly, almost like the “instant love trope”, I believe they fall so quickly in love because they are both similar souls- seeing the same pain and scars of loss reverberating in each other, tying them tightly together yet always keeping them that little bit apart.

“Love is an enchantress- devious and wild. It sneaks up behind you, soft and gentle and quiet, just before it slits your throat.”- The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

This story is atmospheric, magical, romantic and elusive. I wish we could have spent more time developing all three Swan sisters, but the fact that I am wanting more is a testament to how great the past and present story lines wove together. In my dream would, Ernshaw will write a prequel to tell the sister’s story in full detail. A reader can dream right?

The ending was perfect. It left me torn, a little broken, glimmering with hope and wholly satisfied. It is not a traditional YA happy ending, it is streaked with sacrifice and sadness but also with love, second chances and the promise of peace.

I am definitely going to be adding the hardcover to my library when this book comes out, and I’m anxious to see what the author writes next- please be a Swan Sisters prequel, don’t make me beg!

I highly recommend sitting down somewhere cozy, with a cup of tea, maybe sometime when the rain is falling outside your window and the world is dark and washed cleaned and giving this one a read. I do not think you will be disappointed.