The Wicked Deep

In the cursed town of Sparrow, Oregon, three sisters were drowned for witchcraft two centuries ago. Each summer, their spirits return to seek revenge by luring young men to their deaths in the harbor waters. Seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has grown up with the dark legacy of the Swan sisters and understands the town's annual ritual of death. When mysterious newcomer Bo Carter arrives just as the deadly season begins, Penny finds herself drawn into a complex web of secrets and impossible choices. The novel combines elements of ghost stories, romance, and small-town dynamics against the misty backdrop of the Oregon coast. The story poses questions about revenge, justice, and the price of keeping secrets in a place where the past refuses to stay buried. This atmospheric tale explores themes of love versus duty, the consequences of prejudice, and how the choices of previous generations continue to impact the present. The novel suggests that truth and redemption can come at a devastating cost.

Readers describe the book as an atmospheric blend of Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic, with a dark small-town setting that drives the story. The writing style receives frequent mentions for its moody, descriptive prose that captures the Pacific Northwest environment. Liked: - Immersive world-building of Sparrow town - Unpredictable plot twists - Romance elements that don't overshadow the main story - Quick pacing in the second half Disliked: - Slow first few chapters - Predictable love triangle - Character development feels rushed - Some found the ending unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (88,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,900+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) "The atmosphere is the real star here," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another reader on Amazon states, "The premise promised more than the story delivered." BookTubers praise the haunting elements but criticize the romance subplot as formulaic.

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig A gothic tale follows sisters who die mysteriously on an isolated island while an ancient curse brings elements of horror and romance.

The Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye Walton The descendant of a cursed witch family on a Pacific Northwest island confronts dark magic and generational secrets.

The Bone Houses by Emily-Lloyd Jones A gravedigger's daughter teams with a mapmaker to uncover why corpses rise from their graves in a remote village with ties to folk magic.

The Haunted by Danielle Vega A teen moves into a house with a dark history tied to drowned girls and discovers the past hasn't stayed buried.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart The truth behind a family's tragedy on their private island unravels through memories, lies, and consequences of past actions.

🌊 The drowning of "witches" depicted in the book mirrors historical witch trials that occurred in coastal communities, where drowning was often used as both a test and punishment for accused witches. 🏙️ While Sparrow is fictional, the Oregon Coast has over 27 historically documented ghost towns, many with their own haunting legends and maritime mysteries. 📚 The Wicked Deep was Shea Ernshaw's debut novel, published in 2018, and won the Oregon Book Award for Young Adult Literature. 🌲 The Pacific Northwest setting was inspired by Ernshaw's own upbringing in rural Oregon, where fog and mist regularly create the eerie atmosphere described in the book. 🎬 Netflix acquired the film rights to The Wicked Deep in 2018, with plans to adapt it into a feature film, though production details remain under wraps.