Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: March 06, 2018
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Adventure Rating: 4 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. “
This one surprised me! I normally don’t like darker books but this was beautifully dark. And that’s not something I normally say. I loved the atmospheric writing and plot. I could really picture the town, the lighthouse, the drownings, everything. I liked the glimpses of the drowned sisters history we get every so often.
Penny was a likable MC to read about. She seemed careful, sad, sweet, and willing to protect those she loves. Bo also seemed sweet. But both had some major truth bombs! Their romance was quick but they are teenagers stuck on an island together. It’s bound to happen fast. It didn’t actually bother me either. It just made sense and fit with the plot.
So. The. Plot. Talk about twists! Although, I saw a major one coming, it was a tad predictable, but I still loved the way it played out. And I was sad. But it was a bittersweet sad. In fact, the whole book was bittersweet. The sisters stories where they just wanted a normal life, Penny and Bo, the town, Penny’s mom, it was all sad with some rays poking through.
This really would be the perfect book to read at Halloween. Especially if you are like me and a scaredy cat. I don’t do Horror. This was creepy because of the vicious drownings but it wasn’t horror. It was a unique combination of Sirens and witches mashed together. I am definitely a fan of Ernshaw’s writing now. I want to read Winterwood!
Let’s talk! What are your favorite witchy reads?
Storied Adventures 