'The Wicked Deep' by Shea Ernshaw: Book Report #2

Opinions and Ideas:

I really enjoyed the book and I think it was well written, one notable thing is how the book jumped back and forth between different perspectives. For example, in one chapter it would be written in Penny’s perspective, and in another it would be written in an omniscient third person perspective where the character Penny wasn’t even in existence at the time. It gave the audience, including myself clues pertaining to knowledge the characters did not yet know, it reminded me of the suspense Edgar Allen Poe uses in his writings. Especially considering that this was a book written for young adults, I found myself impressed that those elements were being utilized. And it ended up creating a unique and immersive experience that kept me on the edge of my seat. The one criticism I have for this novel is that it was advertised for more of a “horrific” story. Whereas after reading it, I find that the main plot was centered around a tragic romance, and not horror. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good romance novel, although it was simply not what I was expecting after reading the synopsis of the book. Though overall, I was happy with the story.

Honestly, I believe that I may utilize the same tactics that Shea Earnshaw did regarding her element of suspense. Though I would also like to entertain the idea of writing my story with multiple different perspectives depending on the chapter, and what I would like my reader to know. Regarding ideas to the characters that I will include in my story, I believe I might like to give my main characters a background in the Wiccan/Pagan occult. I have always had an affinity for all things seemingly ritualistic or “witchy”, and I have prior knowledge on said things. I think it would be really cool if I could include ideas of the “Maiden, Mother. Crone” goddess. Not as a focal point of the story, but possibly as a background element to the story. Regarding the plot, I would like to take inspiration from Shea Earnshaw’s writing, and include a prevalent side plot regarding romance, that could add meaningful depth to the story, but not provide the central experience for my story. In regard to said central experience (of the plot), some ideas include a long-standing curse that cannot be undone until rectified, that will shadow the characters along their journey in my setting. Now for the setting, I will probably set the characters on the West Coast of North America, because I would like to include mountainous and coastal rural settings within the story. And I do not plan to span the story over a long period of time, although I am uncertain if that will be true after I am complete with my writing.

What Happened?:

In my last report, I theorized that Penny Talbot was inhabited by the youngest of the Swan Sisters, Hazel. As it turns out, I was correct and found this out during a confrontation that Penny had with the girl inhabited by Aurora. It was then revealed that Penny was also a victim, specifically she was inhabited by Hazel. We also find out that Bo came to town to find out how his older brother died. The entirety of the story spans across a few weeks, known as “Swan Season”. As we continue this reading, we see Penny and Bo’s relationship develop into a very intimate and passionate relationship. The point in their relationship that went from merely tension to this electric storm of two people coming together was a near death experience for dear Bo. Marguerite hooked her carnal claws around Bo’s mind, making her all he could think about. Marguerite then makes an attempt to lure Bo to the sea to take his life and trap his soul in the harbor among the others. But Penny manages to catch up to Bo as he is swimming into the harbor, being called away by Marguerite. Penny (who is Hazel) decides to kiss him in an attempt to pull him out of the trance, and it works. From that point forward, we’re building up the debt of the climax, between the first confrontation Aurora has with Hazel, and the last one where between Hazel and Marguerite, with Bo caught in the crossfires. In the final confrontation, once we know what was keeping “Penny” from being fully open with Bo, and we have a slight idea of how Bo’s brother died, we’re coming to an end of our rising action. Bo is aware that the Swan sisters and that Marguerite tried to kill him, so he begins to stalk her to kill her. When he follows her up the lighthouse, Hazel (disguised as Penny) sees this and follows behind the two of them, worried about the why of it all. When all three reach the top, that’s when everything comes crashing down. Marguerite reveals to Bo that Penny is Hazel, the girl he fell in love with is a Swan sister. Not only that, but the Swan sister he loves is the one who killed his brother, right in the very harbor they were overlooking from the lighthouse. Bo begins to look at Hazel, in the body of Penny, with hatred and anger. Even though Hazel is deeply in love with Bo and said that no matter what happened she was going to try and stay in Penny’s body forever, she has a change of heart. She wants to give Penny a chance to live her life, and finally put the Swan sisters and the curse to rest. As Bo was driving away on his boat, on the last night of Swan season, Hazel jumped onto his boat. Hazel then convinces Bo to help her undo the curse, she knew how. Years ago, when Penny’s father disappeared, it was because he knew how to undo the curse and before he could attempt to do it, Hazel killed him. For Hazel had been inhabiting the body of Penny for a few years at this point. Penny’s dad thought that if he drowned one of the Swan sisters while they were inhabiting the body of a human girl, that the girl would still live while the curse of the Swan season would break. Bo and Hazel said their bitter, heartfelt, passionate goodbyes. There was an undertone of anger, confusion, and betrayal on Bo’s end, for her loved Hazel so much but hated her at the same time. They kiss, Hazel jumps into the water and dies, breaking the curse. She gives a gift to Penny, all of the good memories Hazel made with Bo this Swan season. She gave her the gift to live the life she never had. Bo pulls the body of Penny Talbot out of the harbor which Hazel died in, for the very last time. Penny lives, and slowly regains the memories that Hazel left for her, including the love she had for Bo.

In the end, there is a calm after the storm. Bo continues to live on the island with Penny and her mother. Penny’s mother is no longer floating in a limbo of grief, and Bo and Penny love each other. Bo is left to live with the fact that he did indeed lose someone he loved. The Swan sisters are finally rested, and the curse no longer looms over the town of Sparrow, Oregon.