** Blog Tour ** The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

I am thrilled to be part of the Canadian blog tour for Shea Ernshaw's The Wicked Deep. I love witch stories and could not wait to read this one so I jumped at the change to take part when it was offered.

Be sure to visit all the stops on the tour for reviews from some amazing bloggers, and fun extras like guest posts from Shea, a book inspired manicure, and more!

I had the opportunity to ask Shea some questions about The Wicked Deep and I couldn't resist asking her about her own favourite witch characters! A huge thank to both Simon and Schuster Canada and Shea for making this happen.

1 What gif do you feel describes The Wicked Deep? 

2 If someone were to design a signature ice cream flavour for The Wicked Deep what would be included?  

Coconut ice cream with sea salt, dark lavender chocolate, and bits of seaweed. And it would be consumed daily by sailors and fishermen before they head out to sea.

3 If you had magical powers, what is one thing you would use them for?

After world peace of course, I would use my magical powers for teleportation. I would blink and transport myself to a warm sandy beach every Saturday, I would blink and awaken in a castle in Scotland or whisk myself off to London for high tea each afternoon. I would no longer endure airports or crowded planes. And after I’ve been off having adventures, I would return home to snuggle my cats in the evening. I would be able to see the world in a single day!

4 Who are some of your favourite witches from books, movies, and television?

I can’t deny my love for the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus. And I can’t choose a favorite of the three—so don’t even ask—they are all so magnificent! And I know there has been talk of a Hocus Pocus remake over the years, but I don’t want it, nothing can compare to the original. Those songs, those costumes! GAH! SO GOOD!

I also love Morticia Addams—who is not a witch—but she exudes such prowess and dramatic flair that I want to be her. She is my life goals.

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw             
Release Date - March 6, 2018
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster Canada
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 320 pages
My Rating - 4.5/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads 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.

I was sold on The Wicked Deep the instant I heard its premise. I love a good witch story and had high hopes for this one. Shea Ernshaw did not disappoint with her story about love, revenge, redemption, and sacrifice.

The atmosphere of this novel is felt on every single page. The damp coldness of the sea, the salt tinged air, the feeling of the impossible being possible. The novel plays up its setting and tone to create the perfect witchy vibe. You can sense the Practical Magic inspiration in the way you can almost feel the magic in the air. It is vividly realized, and you could instantly picture what this town looked like.

The tale of the three beautiful Swan sisters is a tragic and crushing one. It is vividly told along side the current story arc that is taking place. The two stories are interwoven with the past impacting the present and creating a richer, deeper story. I was just as enthralled by the story set in the past as I was by the one set in present day. Witch hunts are a huge theme in both the timelines. I found it interesting that Swan sisters were wrongfully accused only to be turned into something mystical by what is done to them. It tinges the story with a little more bitterness and makes what happened to them even more unfair.

There is an undercurrent theme of slut-shaming in the Swan sisters narrative. Their story digs into the idea that women are judged more harshly than men for the same actions. The entire series of events is set off because people believed men could not possibly be responsible for their own actions. It provides a discussion worthy element that I feel makes it perfect for book clubs.

There are a few love stories found within this novel. One that takes places in the past, and the one happening in the present. The both pack a heart aching punch and a sadness that is, at times, unexpected. There is a sympathy that is invoked, particularly for the Swan sisters and the tragic romances within these pages, that caught me by surprise. They are murders plenty times over and should be beyond redemption, but their story is so horrific that it tugs at your heart.

The love stories have a bit of an instalove feel to them, but that worked for me in this case. There is a hint of magic to the connections that are built, and it felt right. It makes sense that these romances would feel as steeped in magic as the rest of the elements of the story. The possibility of something mystical makes them feel a little more plausible in a way that may not work as well in a more contemporary set novel.

There are various mysteries to unravel within the story arc set out in this novel. The multiple mysteries ensures that the reader is always invested. The pacing of the reveals is important in a story structure like this, and I think it's done effectively here. It is the kind of story you finish quickly because it is compulsively readable, and you want to find out what happens next until you've reached the very end.

Shea Ernshaw has crafted  a magical, heartbreaking, romantic story that was entirely bewitching. I hope she continues to write paranormal stories, and would recommend this one to any reader who is looking for a witch inspired read to get swept away in.