I absolutely loved The Cruel Dark, so I was so excited when I get the ARC for Blackwicket. Unfortunately, this one wasn't a hit for me.

There's no question that Bea Northwick is a talented writer. The vibes & atmosphere were incredible in this book, with her descriptive writing allowing you to feel fully immersed in this eerie gothic fantasy.

My biggest issue however, was that I could not grasp the magic concept to save my life. It just made absolutely no sense to me. Was everyone magic? Because it seemed like everyone Ellie interacted with was, however in the beginning it felt like no one was magic but they KNEW about magic. Also, because there was so many "double agents", I had a hard time keeping track of who was good and who was bad. Which side am I meant to cheer for? Is the Authority bad? Is the Brom?

I will say that the twists & the reveals were really well done. I particularly lovedddd the tie between Ellie and Victor.

This isn't a "bad" book by any means, & it could just be that my tiny brain couldn't comprehend what the author was trying to do. Either way, the writing is beautiful & Bea Northwick is still an author I will be reading in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I couldn’t put this book down. It’s one of those rare stories that feels like it’s been waiting for you. Blackwicket is eerie, intimate, and quietly powerful. The kind of haunting that doesn’t come from just ghosts or curses, but from the weight of memory, family, and things left behind.

Eleanora comes home planning to bury her sister and leave again, fast. But nothing goes how it’s supposed to. The second she steps into Blackwicket House, you can tell the place holds too many memories. It feels heavy, like something’s waiting. Not in a dramatic way, just that quiet kind of weight that hangs in old houses where too much has happened.

The magic here really stood out to me. It’s not overdone or showy. It feels like something that grew out of pain and old stories. The idea of curse-eating was new to me, and the way it was explained made it feel real and personal, not just another magical ability.

This book sticks with you. The writing never tries too hard, the pacing is tight, and the story hits that perfect mix of creepy and emotional. If you like your fantasy with a little grit and a lot of heart, this one’s worth picking up.